By Pastor Alex Ruelo
The prophetic books mostly talk about what is going to happen in the times to come. But the book of Jonah is unique because it does not talk about the message of Jonah but instead, it talks about what happened to him. It began at about 793 B.C. He was also talked about in the book of Kings, wherein he was the prophet during the time of King Jerobaom II. The problem with him is that he is a bad king. So since Jonah’s king is not a good example, he was pretty much a bad prophet too. He is God’s messenger but he had a lot of flaws, especially in his heart. Amos actually confronted him during Jeroboam’s time and rebuked him. But he is in the Bible and God told him to write about what he did.
Jonah 1:1-3 says, “The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.” When we talk about Jonah, the next thing that follows if the big fish. But when you look at the map, Jonah came from Israel. He went to Joppa, near the port, so he could ride a boat to Tarshish in the West. But in reality, he could have just travelled by land to Nineveh in the east. If he did not disobey God, there was not supposed to be a big fish.
Nineveh, in these times, is called Mozul a city in Iraq. Back in the days, it was called Assyria. now you have a picture of why it was a wicked city — because its people were wicked. It was found that when they captures cities, people were skinned alive in front of children and their bones ground. They would put hooks in their bodies and drag them alive. Maybe that is why Jonah did not want to go there. He may have been scared of what might happen to him. The kingdom was growing during that time. That is why God wanted Jonah to warn them so they would change their ways. Jonah was supposed to play a big part. But he chose to sail away to Tarshish. Why?
You know how the story goes. He went on the boat and there was a big storm. Jonah was thrown overboard because he knew that he was the reason for it. He was swallowed by a big fish and he was spit out after 3 days. When he got out of the belly of the big fish, he was already in Nineveh. Jonah 3:4-6 says, “On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!” The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow. When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes.” Jonah only said 8 words in his message but everyone in the city repented right away. Jonah 4:1-2 says why. It said, “This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.” Jonah went to Tarshish because he knew that the people in Nineveh would repent. How ironic is that? He ran away because he knew that God would forgive them. He did not want the people to repent and for God to forgive them.
God’s mercy is undeserved. (1Timothy 1:15-16) Nobody and everybody deserves the mercy of God because we are all sinners. And that is why God asked Jonah to narrate his messed up story so that people will see that nobody can boast. Imagine the Assyrians. How they skin their captives alive. They need mercy and forgiveness too. And God gave it to them.
God’s mercy is unexpected. (Jonah 1:15-17) When they found Jonah on the ship, they cast lots but Jonah himself asked them to throw him aboard. Then the big fish came and swallowed him. The fish was actually Jonah’s mercy. Sometimes, we have to suffer. That suffering is the mercy of God. Wrong relationships are broken and you are heartbroken. But you were spared from more heartbreak when you broke off with that person. We try so hard to save people from their suffering. But if it is not God’s will in their lives, they will suffer more. Sometimes the best way to help is not to help.
God’s mercy is unbiased. (Jonah 4:1-3) When the people repented, Jonah was upset. He even asked God to kill him because his prophecy did not come true and the people repented. God’s mercy is equal for everybody. Jesus died for everybody; even your enemies. Maybe they did bad things to you but God loves them too.
God’s mercy is unlimited. (Psalms 118:29) (Lamentations 3:22-23) If we mess up today, new mercy will come to you tomorrow. God’s mercy never ends. Even if you sin again and again, God will forgive you. You need to understand the great scope of God’s love.
So now that you know all of this, what are you supposed to do?
Be merciful and do not waste anything. (Jonah 1:3) Jonah bought a ticket but did not make it to his destination. He still ended up in his original destination. He wasted his time and money trying to do his own will. If he only obeyed God, he would not have wasted his resources. Many times, when Christians do their own thing, they waste time and resources and they just get inn trouble.
Be merciful and do not let anybody else get in trouble. (Jonah 1:14) When we disobey God, other people get in trouble too. Everybody around you will suffer the consequences of your actions.
Be merciful. Even to Jonah. The people of Nineveh were still punished after many years. Assyria captured Israel after 70 years. If Jonah did not do his part, the people would not have been spared. Will you show mercy? How many times will you forgive those who have wronged you? We need to be merciful because God is merciful to us.
Be merciful and witness God’s work. (Jonah 4:11) When the Assyrians came and captured Israel, somehow, they found favor in their eyes. Maybe because they also understand God. Maybe they realized that at one time, they were supposed to be judged but God withheld that judgement. When we do the things that God asks us to do, we are able to witness His miracles. You will see the miracles of God unfold if we continue to be merciful and follow His will.
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