Runaway prophet

Runaway prophet. Jonah. 

Flees something more than a hard assignment. And this catches my eye. 

After the storm at sea. After the big fish swallows him whole. After his vow to obey this time.

Even after he proclaims God’s message. To the great city of Nineveh.

He’s still running. From the heart of the One who comes to seek and to save the lost.

God relents

“In forty days Nineveh will be demolished!” (Jonah 3:3-4) Now that’ll get your attention.

And it does.

The people and their king believe. Fast and pray. Turn from their evil ways.

God sees. God relents.

And Jonah gripes.

Runaway prophet

“What’d I tell you?” 

The runaway prophet just knew it would turn out like this. 

“That’s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and one who relents from sending disaster” (Jonah 4:2).

Then Jonah spells it out. 

He’d rather die than see the Ninevites live. 

They deserve destruction. In his book.

Pride

Reading the Gospel of Luke, I hear echoes of Jonah in the Pharisees. Teachers of the law. A prodigal’s elder brother.

“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!” (Luke 15:2)

Jonah knows the character of God. Preaches the word of God. 

And describes the heart of God. 

But pride and prejudice harden his own. 

Unforgiveness hinders. Condemnation distorts his ability to live in the way of the Lord. 

God asks

And God asks, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Asking, not once, but twice. (Jonah 4:4,9)

Then, another question for Jonah. “…May I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot distinguish between their right and their left, as well as many animals?” (Jonah 4:11)

When even one sinner repents, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels.

And here’s a whole city in sackcloth and ashes.

Compassionate Father

The compassionate Father opens His arms to receive repentant ones.

And reminds the elder brother. Jonah. And us.

Here’s what we’re celebrating. Not vines and shade and personal comfort. 

But the wicked and wandering city on its knees. 

The dead brought to life. 

The lost, found.

Our God welcomes directionless sinners and runaway prophets. Turning to walk the narrow way.

Alleluia.

What about you?

Have you ever run from God’s instruction in your life? Have you struggled to forgive? How did the Lord lead you?

Related posts

Paths and prophets – Tear your hearts – dabbling – Wholehearted devotion – Ruin and glory – Enter the narrow door – Lost – Brokenness –