Jonah 3 Running with God Jonah: A Man on the Run

American oarsman, Victor Mooney, decided to row across the Atlantic Ocean to honor his brother. The New Yorker tried to accomplish this goal three times previously.

During Mooney’s first three attempts, one boat sank, the second one lost its freshwater system, and the third began leaking which caused him to resort to coasting on a life raft for close to two weeks. Mooney was robbed of his passport and food on an island off Haiti. This past August, the Coast Guard rescued him off North Carolina after his boat hit a submerged cypress stump and began taking on water. The boat was repaired, and he continued on his way.

He had a routine of waking up at 4 am, rowing for almost an hour, and then taking 30 minute breaks until 7 at night. Unfortunately, the ocean waters were quite rough and often removed his progress. He ate food that was freeze-dried until he ran out and then resorted to fishing. The weather began improving and Mooney also received assistance from a meteorologist and an oceanographer along the way. Soon after, a shark mauled his boat and punctured it. He stated that the shark circled the boat, went underneath the boat, and then attacked.

As the oarsman neared the Dutch Caribbean island of St Maarten, he spoke with a tanker over the radio. The captain asked Mooney if he needed to be rescued and he replied, “I do not need a rescue. I want a burger.”

He completed the roughly 2,983 miles journey in 128 days. Beginning in the Canary Islands off Africa, he crossed to St. Maarten and made his way up the East Coast to New York City. He lost a whopping 80 pounds.

People will risk anything. They offer to give their lives for the silliest things. Yet we as people of God won’t offer ourselves for the only one worth living for.

Jonah was a man on the run. He ran from God. Then he ran to God. Today we find Him running with God. Regardless of the risk or the cost when we run with God we experience life in a way God intended.

I. Running with God: Experiencing God’s grace

A. By grace the Lord delivers Jonah 2:10

(ESV) Jonah 2 10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

B. By grace God’s Word is revealed Jonah 3:1a

(ESV) Jonah 3 1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against toit the message that I tell you.”

1. It’s about Him and what He has to say

a. All other plans and words are unreliable – they don’t give life meaning, purpose or security

b. We can rest on what He has to say – believe it – engage it – live it

2. God’s plan does not change

a. His plan is not thwarted by our disobedience

b. God and His plans remain constant – the only question is whether we will embrace them

C. By grace second chances are offered Jonah 3:1b

(ESV) Jonah 3 1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against toit the message that I tell you.”

1. Another chance to run with God

a. Even after stubborn rebellion Even after failure

b. Even after deserving nothing

2. His desire is for us to do His will

a. Will forcefully move to cause us to adjust to His Will

b. Doesn’t enjoy correction Delights to restore

c. This is the best thing for us as well

3. But often we must return to the area of failure / need for growth

a. Often the problem that led to our failure is the type of issue that we must face when we return to God

4. Circumstances reversed

a. The environment is in His control

b. obeys better than we do

c. Vomit – a course word in Hebrew – associated with something disgusting ---- Reflects on God’s displeasure

5. A new start

a. May not be fancy but sufficient

b. Not with pizzazz, but sufficient

D. By grace the task remains unchanged

(ESV) Jonah 2 10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. 3 1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonahthe second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”

1. God has not been thwarted

2. The task remains the same

3. The prophet must return to where he left / face the same challenge / overcome the same difficulty / his rebellion has brought him full circle / he has not gone anywhere / must face the problem and overcome it as empowered by God. – would have been better to deal with it the first time.

E. By grace others receive grace Jonah 3:2

(ESV) Jonah 3 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against to it the message that I tell you.”

1. The same need still existed – the message to the doomed

2. The same responsibility was given

3. A message that now includes an indication of hope

a. A slight change – instead of call out a message ‘against’ it – now call out ‘to’ it. --- a hint that instead God might yet have a plan for Nineveh

4. To people that matter to God

a. Literally – a city ‘great to God’ -- often translated ‘a very great city’

b. Even God sees it as great/important = a very large powerful city

c. Or a city of great value to God – He wants it saved – it matters greatly to Him

II. Running with God: Trusting God’s sufficiency

A. Begins with our submission Jonah 3:3a

(ESV) Jonah 3 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.

1. Jonah is now as compliant as those other servants, the wind, the sea, and the fish

2. Surrender our will – obey Do God’s will

3. Regardless of anything else

a. A one month voyage to Nineveh from Joppa (500 miles) longer if walked

b. Then what happens when he gets there. Problems galore. Our task to obey The rest is God’s

4. God can do the task – not up to us / requires only our response

a. He immediately moves out

b. Attitude may not be perfect we will see – but goes / obeys

5. The hardest part is to begin the journey – he begins

B. No task too big for God Jonah 3:3c

(ESV) Jonah 3 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.

1. A very large city

a. Nineveh the great city - Mosul, Iraq

Nineveh was located on the east bank of the Tigris River, about 550 miles from Samaria, capital of the Northern Kingdom. Nineveh was large and, like Babylon, was protected by an outer wall (60 miles around) and an inner wall (8 miles around). The inner wall was 50 feet wide and 100 feet high.

Sennacherib – 100 years later the greatest time of the kingdom – destroy Israel and all but Jerusalem in the south – magnificent enhancements to the city

b. Three days journey around the city – include suburbs

2. A very evil city – known for its cruelty

3. Where do you even start? ----- Like: Go to inner city Harlem and warn

C. Already at work in people

(ESV) Jonah 3 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.

1. A troubled time

a. Defeat in the North (time of strife / weakness) Famine lasting – 765-759

b. Eclipse of the sun 763 B.C. Major earthquakes

c. Rebellions and strive until 758 Two plagues

d. All signs of divine anger

e. Jonah’s message comes in the midst of this around 759.

D. Already at work in us Jonah 3:3a

(ESV) Jonah 3 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.

1. Impacted by one coming out of fish,

a. Witnesses to the event of being vomited?

b. Stories from ship?

c. Stained by acid?

2. One of their important gods a fish God, Dagan

a. One of important gods in the area – originating in s. Mesapotamia to the time of Hammarabi -– man/fish – same as the Philistines worshiped Dagon

3. Dramatic arrival of Jonah

a. Jonah’s arrival in Nineveh probably was dramatic. His clothing was no doubt different from the norm, his bearing gave evidence of a different lifestyle, powerful presence and a possibly bleached skin color provided for much attention, stories may have proceeded him

E. God’s Word central Jonah 3:4

(ESV) Jonah 3 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

The only thing mentioned here is the preaching of God’s word – here is the determining factor – the rest in mere supposition

1. Not ultimately a battle of method – focused on God’s Word

2. Preaching as he goes? Calling out a simple message of judgment

3. Direct - likely more than just these words but definitely short and to the point

4. Overthrown – used of Sodom Gomorrah – totally destroyed

a. Overturned – or turned upside down, reformation – but not obvious to anyone at this point (except maybe Jonah)

5. Uncompromising – you will be destroyed

6. Power of God’s word transcends our ability or attitude – only force that can stop it is our nonparticipation

III. Running with God: Seeing repentance

A. Starts with believing God Jonah 3:5a

(ESV) Jonah 3 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

1. Believed: Held to be reliable / Stand firm on - Unwavering conviction (on sin in this case)

2. Recognize consequences of sin for what it is (horribleness of sin)

3. Understand that sin brings deserved judgment

4. Response from the grass roots – a groundswell of repentance

B. Demands humility

(ESV) Jonah 3 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

1. No room for pride

2. Self denial to focus on God

3. Sackcloth / rough clothing / was uncomfortable – mourning/already dead

4. Recognize their accountability

5. Everyone regardless of position – same accountability

C. Includes public admission of guilt Jonah 3:6-7

(ESV) Jonah 3 6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamationand published through Nineveh,

(ESV) Jonah 3 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. …

1. King also repented – a general revival that influences a nation

2. Serious enough to forget what others think - only God

A nationwide fast / turning from sin

D. Involves pursuing God Jonah 3:8a

(ESV) Jonah 3 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. …

1. More than just guilt – turn to the living God of grace / mercy

E. Results in changed actions Jonah 3:8b

(ESV) Jonah 3 8 … Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.

1. Attitude is lived out

F. Relies on the mercy of God Jonah 3:9

(ESV) Jonah 3 9 Who knows? God may turn and relentand turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”

1. Deserved results of sin

2. Perhaps somehow God will withhold deserved judgment

(ESV) Jeremiah 18 7 If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it.

IV. Running with God: Observing God’s mercy at work

A. God honors repentance

(ESV) Jonah 3 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

1. God sees

2. Attitude resulted in change

B. God loves to withhold judgement

(ESV) Jonah 3 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

1. God’s character is to be gracious

2. Doesn’t suspend judgment but can transfer judgment to His Son

C. But don’t presume on God’s grace

Skip forward 140 years

1. Every generation must make the same decision or be judged

(ESV) Nahum 1 1 An oracle concerning against Nineveh. … 2 The Lordis a jealous and avenging God; … 3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. …

a. A culture infused with evil

b. The next generation returned to the olds way within 30 years

a) What happened as Nineveh and Assyria return to reign of terror, destroying Northern Tribes of Israel 30-35 years later

b) Maybe short-lived, insincere turning because of fear rather than true repentance (Elohim rather than Yahweh)

c) Next generation unconverted (failed to bring their children to faith by telling, living, changing their culture)

2. Another warning / Ultimate judgment

(ESV) Nahum 1 7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. 8 But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

a. Another opportunity to repent to the God of grace/mercy

b. Nineveh does not repent / is destroyed by Babylon 612