Jonah - God's Reluctant Missionary

In the series on Jonah, my Pastor reminded us of the importance of sharing our faith.  While Ninevah, as the capital of Assyria, was a wicked place, Jonah wanted to withhold the "cure"; telling us that sometimes, it is not the message that is rejected but lack of love of the messenger.  But, God is gracious not only to Ninevah, the pagan sailors, but also to Jonah.

When God sent the storm out of chastening and discipline, it demonstrated not only His love for Jonah but also for the Ninevites.  Ironically, Jonah is sleeping during the storm while the pagan sailors are praying; and when Jonah's disobedience is found out, the sailors still try to save his life, even though he didn't want thousands to be saved from spiritual death.  The sailors then came to call upon the one true Lord.  Sometimes we shouldn't be praying for storms to be taken away, but rather to look at why the storm was sent.

It took being in the dark belly of a fish for Jonah to pray to God, to be rescued, and find repentence and redirection.  What does it take for us to become messengers to a lost world?

Jonah then gets a second chance at obedience, and the wicked city of Ninevah repented.  Similarly, ways that we can share our faith:

• Offer to pray for others
• Help them with what they need done
• Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading
• Take them out for "coffee"
• Be sensitive to their needs

In all these ways, let your light shine.

In the last chapter, Jonah is angry at God for being Who He is - merciful and gracious.  The use of the plant is a demonstration of God's patience and love for Jonah.  is questions to Jonah, like to us, reveal things about him.  Jonah was angry at the plant because he cared about his confort, but God cared about his character.  The book ends with a big question like because He wants us to answer - are we concerned about God's concerns?