Jonah: The Discontent Prophet #1
The story of Jonah is one of the most well-known in the Bible. It tells the tale of a reluctant prophet who is called by God to deliver a message of repentance to the people of Nineveh, a city notorious for its wickedness and cruelty. Jonah's reluctance to fulfill this mission teaches us important lessons about God's call in our lives and our responsibility to answer that call.
God's Call to Jonah
Jonah 1:1-3 Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
God called Jonah to go to Nineveh, a city infamous for its brutality, where the inhabitants would burn, rape, and pillage without mercy. The people of Nineveh were known to take prisoners of war and subject them to unspeakable torture, such as burying them up to their heads in sand and piercing their tongues, all while keeping water just out of their reach and then letting them die of thirst. It is possible that Nineveh's cruelty had even affected Jonah personally, making his calling to go there even more difficult to accept.
Jonah's reluctance to go to Nineveh could have stemmed from his personal prejudice against the people of that city. It is likely he wanted them to suffer for their sins and had no desire to help them find redemption. This was not in line with God's plan, however, and Jonah found himself at odds with his divine calling.
Understanding God's Call in Our Lives
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
As believers, we are called by God to live our lives with purpose and to serve Him. This calling can be broken down into two categories: general call and specific call.
General Call: Every believer is called to be an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), to encourage one another in church (Hebrews 10:24-25), and to pray for each other (1 Peter 2:9). These responsibilities are common to all followers of Christ, regardless of their individual circumstances. While this list is not exhaustive it certainly is a good start.
Specific Call: In addition to the general call, God also has specific plans for each of our lives. He may call us to witness to particular people, encourage specific individuals, or pray for certain needs. Each of us has a unique ministry designed by God to fulfill His purposes, for some its is building orphanages and others it sending notes of encouragement, but God has plan and a specific purpose for every person.
Jonah's story serves as a reminder that we may not always like or understand the calling that God has placed on our lives. We may be asked to step outside of our comfort zones or face our fears. Yet, it is essential that we trust in God's plan and follow His calling, regardless of our reluctance or personal preferences.
Jonah's Response to God's Call: Rebellion, Laziness, and Self-Destruction
Jonah's reaction to God's call provides insights into the different ways people may respond to their divine calling. By examining his choices, we can learn how to better align our lives with God's plan and avoid the pitfalls that come from ignoring or rejecting His call.
Rebellion
Jonah's initial response to God's call was outright rebellion. He chose to go in the opposite direction of where God wanted him to go, effectively telling God that he knew better. Many people choose this path when confronted with God's call in their lives, opting to follow their own desires and plans rather than submit to God's will. This rebellion can lead to spiritual stagnation and a life lived in opposition to God's plan.
Laziness
Jonah's laziness is evident when he chose to sleep in the bottom of the boat instead of following God's call (Jonah 1:6). This complacency can lead to spiritual sleepiness, where people ignore their calling and neglect their responsibilities as believers. When we lazily ignore God's call, we risk the eternal consequences for those who could have heard the Gospel through our obedience. It is essential for believers to be spiritually awake and actively seeking God to fulfill His call in their lives.
Self-Destruction
Jonah's rebellion and laziness eventually led him to engage in self-destructive behavior. When faced with the consequences of his actions, Jonah chose to be thrown into the sea, believing he would rather die rather than follow God's call. This self-destructive mindset is common among those who refuse to follow God's call, as they waste their lives pursuing so called worldly “success” and temporary satisfaction, ultimately leading to spiritual destruction.
Jonah's Discontentment: A Lack of Surrender to God
Jonah's discontentment did not stem from a lack of purpose or calling in his life. Instead, it was rooted in his unwillingness to surrender himself to God and follow His plan. Our level of contentment is not determined by our circumstances or current comfort but by our relationship with God and our willingness to surrender to His will.
God called Jonah to do a difficult task, and it is important to recognize that anything worth doing for God will likely be challenging. Embracing God's call often means facing hardships, but these challenges lead to spiritual growth and eternal significance.
Finding Contentment in Christ
True contentment can only be found in Christ. When we fully surrender our lives to Him and commit to following His call, we experience the peace and contentment that comes from knowing we are living in alignment with God's plan. Discontentment often arises when we resist God's call or fail to surrender ourselves to His will.
The story of Jonah teaches us the importance of surrendering ourselves to Christ and embracing His call in our lives. By doing so, we can find true contentment and live a life in accordance to God’s purpose.
Ask yourself today: Are you surrendered to Christ? Are you following God's call in your life, both broadly and daily? Remember, you will not find contentment until you completely surrender to Christ and follow His plan for your life.