READ: Jon. 1:4: … the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea …
Jonah’s response is thoroughly earthly: he does not wish to prophesy. But if God wills it, it shall nevertheless come to pass. The prophet Jeremiah also acknowledged this when he experienced the burden of his calling (Jer. 20:7–9). If God intends to use you, you may neither evade nor escape Him. In such a case God may call you sharply to account.
Jonah’s journey becomes a nightmare. The LORD sends a storm after him, against which nothing can stand and upon which all human calculations and efforts are shattered. God’s omnipotence cannot be resisted, not even by disobedient servants. Jonah must learn that God is the almighty God who governs all things, even the winds.
Yet Jonah has sunk deeply. Only when the heathen sailors recognize God’s hand and the lot points to Jonah as the guilty one does he acknowledge his guilt. He confesses to the sailors that he has deserted his service, as guilt before the LORD. Yet he shows no repentance toward the LORD Himself. He still has a long way to go. He acknowledges the LORD as Creator. But even the heathen sailors are astonished that Jonah has opposed the almighty God whom he knows.
Yet the LORD still seeks out covenant children who turn their backs upon Him. This may happen in many ways. Sometimes He uses illness or an accident so that they experience what it means truly to be without God as Helper in distress. Or they become entangled in a thoroughly ungodly environment, in poverty, or in hopeless depression. Think of the prodigal son. Sometimes they then realize for themselves in their misery, like the poet of Psalm 73:22: “I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You” and are thereby brought to repentance.
Thus God’s wrath in the storm must also be regarded as evidence of His compassionate love in bringing His servant back to Himself. How Christ is here the greater than the unfaithful Jonah! He experienced God’s wrath, not because of His own deeds, but because He took our sins and guilt upon Himself. Therefore we have all the more reason to follow Him wherever He leads.
Do you recognize the hardships that accompany the service to the LORD?
Sing: Ps. 32:4