This Week's Story
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Jonah hopes to escape God's presence. The results are unpredictable.
This Week’s Story relives American history and the Bible through brief inspiring stories presented on mp3 audio recordings and text for reading.
Jonah Attempts to Dodge God! part one
Jonah received an unpleasant message from God. It came so strongly to his mind that he knew God was communicating with him. His mind had not made up the message, nor was it a nightmare.
God said, “Jonah, go to the great city of Nineveh. Inform the people that I see their corruption. It is in front of me.”
Jonah shuddered. His thoughts tumbled with an escape plan. “I am not going to deliver this announcement to the Ninevites! They would surely kill me. They are known for their cruelty to anyone who offends them. The message will anger them and I will be a scapegoat.
“I must get away from God and the Ninevites. Is God going to punish them? Does He want them to repent of their barbaric behavior? Would He forgive them?”
Jonah dressed for his escape, rapidly left his home town, and went to Joppa. He bought a ticket to travel by ship west across the Mediterranean Sea to Tarshish, which was later part of Spain. It was
the opposite direction of Nineveh and a prosperous port for trade. Jonah’s mind argued with God. “I must get away from Him. I cannot; I will not deliver His message!”
During the night he fell asleep aboard the ship. As he slept a strong wind began blowing. Waves became gigantic and violently pounded the ship.
The ship’s crew of sailors became terrified that the storm would destroy the ship. They threw the ship’s cargo into the sea. Maybe that would keep the ship from turning over and keep the sailors and passengers from drowning.
The sailors called to the gods they worshipped. “Save us, we beg you. Please.”
“Baal, I will sacrifice my bull to you.”
“Dagon, my pedestal for you will be rebuilt.”
Jonah continued to sleep.
The ship’s captain awoke him and asked, “Why do you continue sleeping? Call upon your God. Perhaps he will prevent our deaths.”
The sailors agreed, “Let us cast lots to discover who is the cause of the desperate trouble we have.” Each sailor reached into a basket and drew out a pebble. In Jonah’s hand was the marked lot which meant he was the cause of the storm. The sailors believed that the chance selection was decided divinely.
Instantly, curious eyes turned to Jonah, and the sailors asked him, “Why is this storm come upon us? What is your occupation? From where do you come? What is the name of your country?”
Jonah replied, “I am a Hebrew, also called a Jew. I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and dry land.”
The sailors became fearful. Jonah was declaring that his god had power over all creation. Their next question and his answer would help them decide what to do with him.
Jonah’s words revealed surprising events.
Gwen Crawford, Todd Warren, Carlos Gamez, and I, Barbara Steiner, are privileged to share Jonah’s story with you. The primary source for it is found in the short book of “Jonah” in the Bible.
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