Essays
Awash In Deep Troubles
AWASH IN DEEP TROUBLES
First God prepared an assignment for Jonah: Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it… (Jonah 1:2). Subsequently, Jonah’s recalcitrance (he chose to try to run away from God / Jonah 1:3) caused God to prepare a “perfect storm” to assist Jonah in coming to his senses. Jonah soon discovered what King David acknowledged years early - - you can’t hide from God (Ps.139:7). The ship on which Jonah traveled was about to broken up by the winds and the waves and Jonah was fast asleep in the hull. While Jonah may have been “snoring away” (implied by the Hebrew text), Jonah’s sleep was not sound in the sense of healthy and wholesome
(cf. Ps.32:3-4). Jonah received a rude awakening when the captain uttered words in the form of A HAUNTING ECHO of His God-given charge: “Arise and call out…” (Jonah 1:6). At this juncture, this story becomes filled with irony. The salty captain directed Jonah the prophet to call on God; The pagan sailors seek help from on high by the casting of lots (Prov.16:33); Those who worshiped false gods
confronted Jonah (who worshiped the only true and living God) with the question, “How could you run from God?” (Jonah 1:10).
In response to their question, “what should we do?”, Jonah directed them to throw him overboard (Jonah 1:10-11). “So they picked up Jonah, and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped it raging” (Jonah 1:15). Jonah is about to be schooled in the deep
- - a three-day crash course on the sovereignty of God. In spite of Jonah’s disobedience, good things happen! A crusty crew comes to put their faith in Jehovah God (cf. Jonah 1:14 & 16). They pray to the LORD; They fear the Lord greatly; They offer a sacrifice and vows to Jehovah God. ISN’T IT AMAZING HOW OUR GRACIOUS GOD CAN MAKE GOOD THINGS COME FROM OUR BAD CHOICES?!
Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ
