The book of Jonah (KJV) consists of four chapters. It tells of Jonah's commission from God which was to go into Nineveh and warn the people to turn from their sins, and what the results would be if they failed to do so. These chapters tell us of Jonah's initial disobedience, the consequences he faced for being disobedient, his eventual repentance, and his subsequent obedience, as he finally opts to follow God's instructions.
When the word of the Lord came to Jonah and he was instructed to go to Nineveh, the Bible tells us in Jonah 1:3 (KJV) that instead of going to Nineveh he flees from the presence of the Lord, and heads to Joppa. From Joppa he boards a ship to Tarshish. After he boards the ship we are told in Jonah 1:4 (KJV) that "the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken." The other men in the ship then began crying out to their gods and throwing things overboard in an attempt to lighten the ships load. Jonah had gone down into the sides of the ship, and had fallen asleep. The ship master went down and woke him up. He told Jonah to call upon his God for help so that they would not perish. Jonah confesses to the men that he is running from God, and that he is the reason this great wind and mighty tempest in the sea is upon them. He tells the men to cast him overboard in order to calm the sea, but the men not wanting to throw him overboard attempt to row to shore. Their efforts to reach land were fruitless, and having no other choice they threw Jonah over the side of the ship. The moment they threw him overboard the sea ceased raging. After the sea had calmed Jonah 1:16 (KJV) says "Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows." So we see that after witnessing what they witnessed the other men on the ship accepted Christ. We are then told in Jonah 1:17 (KJV) that "the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." Jonah prayed, and cried out to God from the belly of the fish, and then in Jonah 2:10 (KJV) it says that "the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land."
When Jonah was vomited out of the mouth of the great fish, the Lord came unto him a second time instructing him to go to Nineveh and preach to them. This time Jonah obeyed God, went to Nineveh, and the result was as we are told in Jonah 3:5 (KJV) that "the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them." So we see they ceased their evil ways, and believing God turned back to him.
If Jonah had heeded God's call the first time he could have avoided the great wind and tempest on the sea, and being thrown overboard. He could have spared the other men on the ship the horror and fear they faced, he could have avoided being swallowed by a great fish, spending three days and nights in its belly, and being vomited out onto land.
How many times as a parent have you said to your children "I wish you had listened to me the first time," "If you had listened to me we wouldn't be here right now," and "If you had listened to me the first time you wouldn't be in this mess?" As children, how many times did we think to ourselves "I wish I had listened to my parents?" We are God's children and He has instructions for each of us. It is not difficult to recognize a nudge from the Holy Spirit, and understand that it is God instructing us to do something or to avoid something. We will live a much happier life, if we heed the warnings from the Holy Spirit within us, and behave in a way that is pleasing to God. With that said, why is it that often times we behave like Jonah, and disobey God the first time he instructs us to do, or not do something? Why do we insist on following our own path of instruction instead of God's, as if we are somehow brighter than He is? Why do we avoid obeying God, and instead opt for the train wreck that comes along with disobedience to Him? We can avoid so much chaos and heartache if we will simply obey God, follow the plan He has for our lives, and allow him to lead, guide, and direct our paths.
The next time you feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit to do something, I urge you to do it the first time. The next time you are given the opportunity to do the right thing, but are hesitant to do it because it may put you out, I urge you not to hesitate, but to do it. If you know God is instructing you to do something and he has opened a door for you to walk through, then walk through it. If you know a behavior or an act of some sort will be displeasing to God, then listen to the Holy Spirit within you, and don't do it. I encourage you not to behave as Jonah did, but rather to obey God the first time you hear from Him, and avoid the train wreck that comes along with disobedience. Remember you are a child of God, He loves you so much that He sent his only Son to die on the cross for your sins, He wants only the best for you, and He rewards obedience.
If you have a pray request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
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