You Cannot Outrun God

Introduction

The Unbelieving Sailors Offered Him Grace

Jonah 1:12–13 “And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.”

Jonah tells these sailors what they must do in order to calm the sea. In their mind they believe that to throw Jonah overboard is to end his life. That is unacceptable to the sailors. Jonah had disobeyed God, ran from him, and went in the opposite direction of the leading of the Lord. The storm had come upon the sea because of Jonah. The storm had cost these men their livelihood. Even with all of that information they were unwilling to simply cast Jonah aside. While Jonah was willing to leave Nineveh to be destroyed for the hate he had for them these unbelieving sailors that did not yet know God attempted to save him from his judgment.

The sailors were willing to do for Jonah what he would not do for the people of Nineveh. Sometimes God uses unbelievers to expose the lack of love in believers.

The Unbelieving Sailors Prayed Unto God

Jonah 1:14 “Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee.”

When the sailors realized that they could not save Jonah and that the judgment of God had come upon him they turned to the God of heaven and prayed unto him for themselves. They realized that Jonah was in the hands of God, but they prayed that his sins would not cost them their own lives. These unbelieving sailors who before this night did not know Jehovah were now praying to him for their physical salvation. They realized they could not save Jonah and that only Jehovah could save them. They did not want to be held accountable for throwing Jonah overboard. They knew the value of a man’s life and the veracity of taking human life.

The storm that revealed Jonah’s rebellion also revealed Jehovah’s power to the sailors.

The Unbelieving Sailors Obeyed the Prophet

Jonah 1:15 “So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.”

Having heard Jonah and what he had done and having tried to save Jonah from the impending judgment of God they ultimate realized they must do to Jonah as he had told them. Throwing Jonah overboard was not their judgment upon him, but God’s judgment upon Jonah. So they obeyed what Jonah, the Prophet told them to do and they cast him into the sea. As soon as Jonah was thrown into the sea the storm disappeared and the sailors were safe. Their physical salvation was immediate.

The sailors discovered that obedience succeeds where human effort fails.

The Unbelieving Sailors Feared the Lord

Jonah 1:16 “Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows.”

It has been a long day for these sailors. A terrible storm, loss of cargo, and they came face to face with the judgment of the almighty Jehovah. Now it was over. Jonah is overboard and in their mind he was dead. They learned a very important lesson that day though. They learned to fear the Lord. The Bible says that they feared the Lord exceedingly. Given that they had cast their cargo overboard the sacrifices likely occurred after they returned home. Their vows may have been to offer the sacrifices when they got home.

Some people think that this verse indicates the salvation of the sailors and some even go as far to believe these men converted to Judaism. While it would be wonderful if they became followers of Jehovah we cannot add to the Scriptural text something that is not there. These were pagan sailors that worshipped many gods and while they certainly understood the power of Jehovah that night it does not necessarily mean they put away all their gods. They could have just as easily added Jehovah to their harem of gods. One things if for sure that on that day Jehovah recieved the glory of those pagan sailors.

The sailors moved from fearing the storm to fearing the Lord.

The sailors showed grace. The sailors prayed. The sailors obeyed. The sailors feared the Lord.

God’s Plans will Prevail

Jonah Tried to Run from God’s Plan

Jonah booked a fair to Tarshish; as far away from Nineveh as he could find. Yet Jonah’s efforts to run from God’s will for his life failed. He was caught up in a storm and then thrown into the sea where a whale swallowed him up to take him right back to where God wanted him to be. No matter how hard you try to run from God’s plan he will carry out his judgment upon your actions that oppose his plan.

Jonah figured out that while you may try to run from God you cannot outrun God Himself.

The Sailors Tried to Row from God’s Plan

The sailors could not bring themselves to cast Jonah from their boat. They chose to try to save Jonah. Their plan opposed God’s will and it did not work.

You can go against the things of God only for so long before his judgment is carried out upon your life. No matter how hard you row for safety or others try on your behalf, the judgment of God will find you nonetheless.

No amount of rowing can calm a storm sent by God.

God’s Punishment is Just

The Sailors were Ignorant of God’s Character

They thought they would be held accountable for throwing Jonah overboard. They thought he would judge them for taking the life of his prophet. What they did not understand about God’s character is that he will not assign guilt where one is innocent. Throwing Jonah overboard was part of God’s plan and he would not judge them for something he was leading them to do. God’s punishment is just.

Jehovah’s justice is never reckless, excessive, or unrighteous.

Jonah was Aware of God’s Character

While Jonah was presently in a rebellious state he knew the character of God. He knew that God would carry out his divine sovereign will. Before the men ever tried to row to land he told them to throw him overboard because the only end of the story would be God’s judgement upon his life. The sailors tried valiantly to save him and yet God’s character would not allow Jonah to go without punishment for his rebellion against him. The sailors were ignorant, but Jonah was fully aware of God’s judgment. Jonah knew the storm was not coincidence, but chastisement.

God’s Preparation is Perfect

God Prepared the Storm

Jonah 1:4 “But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.”

The storm was not evidence that God had abandoned Jonah, but that God was pursuing Jonah.

God Prepared the Fish

Jonah 1:17 “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”

God’s preparation to carry out his will is perfect. God is never unprepared for any situation. God was prepared for Jonah’s choices. God is prepared for your choices as well. He may respond with grace or with chastisement, but He is never unprepared. You have choice like Jonah had choices. Don’t make the same choices he made. Choose differently.

God prepared the storm to stop Jonah and the fish to save Jonah.

The storm was not random, and the fish was not accidental. Both were divinely appointed. You can choose disobedience if you wish, but you cannot choose the consequences God prepares for it.