Jonah Obeys

Introduction

The Word comes a second time

Here at the beginning of the third chapter of this short book we see Jonah’s calling from chapter 1 repeated in almost the exact same Words.

Jonah had displayed faith and trust in God, seeing his life saved from cruel waves.

The focus on this text is to make it very clear to us that God’s expectation of Jonah has not changed from the first time he called him until now. Jonah and God had not reached a compromise, its not like Jonah gave a little and God gave a little. It becomes clear to us that God is getting his way and Jonah must submit to it.

Here at Faith Baptist Church, we embrace the biblical teaching of the new covenant and that the people of God are not under the Mosaic Covenant, but under a new covenant and thus a new law, the law of the heart. However, God’s purpose for mankind and for his people has not changed since the creation of Adam and Eve. The NT is not a somehow more lenient religion than that of the OT. In fact, it is much more strict, forbidding not just adultery and murder, but lust and unrighteous hatred in the heart. At the centre of the OT law and NT ethics is the two great commands: to love God with all that we are and above all else, and as a result of that love to love those who are made in his image with the same care we show ourselves. When Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, they were made with loving and obeying God baked into their DNA. It’s literally what they were created to do.

When Jonah sinned, he walked in the steps of his ancestors by deciding his way was better than God’s way. He acted like his own master and left the presence of God, and now for a second time he has the opportunity to act differently.

Being a NT Christian gives us no relief of responsibility to display the character of God in perfect obedience. God is our creator and master, and he will be worshipped as such. God will not find a middle ground with us, he will not change is standards. Instead, he will change us and work with us to come to a place where we will be willing to trust him, love him, and obey him. Jonah’s time in the sea was to bring him back into the presence of God, where God’s expectations of him has not changed. The expectations that God had in the past have not changed, but God does work us back into his presence by his grace.

This is not legalism, in fact it is the opposite.

Legalism is reliance on ourselves, not God.

Legalism rejects God’s way and chooses our way.

Legalism is not motivated by love, but by pride.

Legalism compares ourselves with the obedience of others rather than the standard we are called to.

Jonah Obeys

Jonah’s Obedience immediate and outwardly accurate

Jonah’s Obedience Inwardly Inadequate

Obedience in True Submission to Christ

Conclusion