Introduction

The book of Jonah opens with one of the most famous acts of disobedience in Scripture. God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh, the capital of Israel's enemy Assyria, and cry out against its wickedness. Instead of heading east toward Nineveh, Jonah heads west toward Tarshish—as far as possible in the opposite direction. God sends a great storm. While Jonah sleeps below deck, terrified sailors cast lots to find the cause; the lot falls on Jonah. He admits he is fleeing from the LORD and tells them to throw him into the sea. They do so reluctantly, and immediately the storm ceases—prompting the pagan sailors to fear the LORD and offer sacrifices.

The Call and the Flight [1-3]

[1-3] The word of the LORD comes to Jonah son of Amittai: "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." But Jonah rises to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He goes down to Joppa, finds a ship going to Tarshish, pays the fare, and goes down into it "to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD."

• Nineveh [2]: Capital of Assyria—Israel's brutal enemy
• Tarshish [3]: Likely Spain—the farthest west known
• Away from the LORD's presence [3]: Repeated twice—deliberate flight from God
• Goes down [3]: Recurring theme: down to Joppa, down into the ship, down into sleep, down into the sea

The Storm [4-6]

[4-6] The LORD hurls a great wind upon the sea, creating a mighty tempest that threatens to break up the ship. The sailors are afraid; each cries out to his god. They throw cargo overboard to lighten the ship. But Jonah has gone down into the inner part of the ship, lying down in a deep sleep. The captain comes to him: "What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish."

• The LORD hurled [4]: God actively pursues the fleeing prophet
• Each to his god [5]: Pagan sailors' instinct is prayer
• Jonah sleeping [5]: Unconscious or indifferent while others panic
• Call out to your god [6]: The pagan captain urges the prophet to pray

The Lot Falls on Jonah [7-10]

[7-10] The sailors cast lots to discover who is responsible. The lot falls on Jonah. They question him: "Tell us on whose account this evil has come... What is your occupation? Where do you come from? What is your country? What people are you from?" Jonah answers: "I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land." The men are exceedingly afraid and ask, "What is this that you have done!" They know he is fleeing from the LORD because he told them.

• Lots [7]: God uses even pagan methods to reveal truth
• I fear the LORD [9]: Jonah's confession—claiming what his actions deny
• Made the sea [9]: The Creator is sending this storm
• What have you done? [10]: Even pagans recognize the folly

Into the Sea [11-16]

[11-16] The sea grows more tempestuous. The sailors ask what to do with him to calm the sea. Jonah says: "Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you." The men try rowing to shore but cannot. They cry to the LORD: "Do not let us perish for this man's life; do not lay on us innocent blood, for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you." They pick up Jonah and hurl him into the sea, and the sea ceases from its raging. The men fear the LORD exceedingly, offering sacrifices and making vows.

• Hurl me [12]: Jonah chooses death over obedience
• Try rowing [13]: The sailors' reluctance—more compassion than Jonah showed
• Prayer to the LORD [14]: Pagans now pray to Israel's God
• Sea ceases [15]: Immediate evidence of God's power
• Feared the LORD [16]: The sailors convert through the storm

Key Takeaways

• You cannot flee from God [3-4]: The LORD pursues His reluctant prophet
• Disobedience affects others [5-6]: Innocent sailors suffer for Jonah's flight
• God uses adversity to reveal truth [7-10]: The storm exposes what Jonah hid
• Pagans can respond to God [14-16]: The sailors' fear leads to worship

Reflection Questions

• Where might you be running from God's call rather than toward it?
• How has your disobedience affected others around you?
• What "storms" has God sent to redirect your path?