Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet-7
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
Introduction: As we continue through Jonah chapter 1 in verses 6-12 we discover the sad truth concerning the searching of the world for the one true living God. We also see Jonah beginning to be aroused to turn back to Almighty God.
As we started this book we saw in the beginning of this that:
A. The Word of the LORD Came v1,2
B. The Prophet Rose Up To Flee v3-7
The Mighty Tempest v4
The Mariner’s Fear v5
The Messenger’s Sleep v5
The Master’s Question v6
The Manner of “gods” v6
v6 “So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.”
The manner of “gods” simply speaks to the fact of the inadequacy of those who worship anything other than the one true living God.
Turn over to Acts chapter 17 for one moment.
In the book of Acts, Paul the Apostle purposely, and by God’s direction often found himself in the midst of the major city centers of the world.
At one point, we are told of Paul’s encounter with those in a place called Aeropagus. It was here, that Paul witnessed to those who called upon “gods” that were distant and could not be counted on.
Paul’s Preaching in Aeropagus
The Bible tells us in Acts chapter 17:16, “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.”
Idolatry is defined as this, “The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God.” - Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
When we find this word appear in our English Bible, one of the Hebrew words that is translated as ‘idols’ or ‘idolatry’ or ‘image’ is also the word transliterated; the word Teraphim (as found in Judges 18:14).
Almost all of the nine Hebrew words used to express idol simply means an image or something to be looked upon.
It also has a connection with the root word in that language which is associated with being healed.
When we think about the definition for an idol and this matter of idolatry we would have to say that idolatry is certainly contrary to God and His ways.
We would understand that God’s ordained methods by which we are saved is by Grace through faith.
It sheds light on the Lord’s comments when the Jews sought after a sign He states this, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.”
The Word of God tells us that God is Spirit --- in other words, He has no form.
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24
Leviticus 26:1, we see the Lord’s command concerning this,
Leviticus 26:1 “Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.”
Idolatry itself is defined in the New Testament for us perhaps most vividly in the book of Romans chapter 1.
It states, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” Romans 1:22,23
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
When Paul arrived in Athens, this is what he saw with his eyes, a city full of images.
Here was a city given to idolatry. They had so many idols that he even came across one altar that stated, “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD,” according to Acts 17:23.
They wanted to have all their bases covered, every god that could be worshipped or appeased they were interested in that.
But the truth is they were still searching!
How do we know this? We find in that passage in Acts that they called Paul into their high religious court to hear this strange thing that tickled their ears.
What was this that Paul spoke about that was so different to every other ‘god’ that had been imagined by man.
We see here in our text (Jonah 1:6) this thought among these heathen mariners, the manner of the gods that exist are:
Unknowable
Uncaring
Unreachable
The shipmaster comes and calls upon Jonah to cry out to his ‘god’ if perhaps he will think upon them.
Not only do we see this prevailing thought, but we come to understand that Jonah had lost his testimony.
Think about this scene, Jonah was asleep in the sides of the ship.
The mariners look to each other for them to cry unto their own gods.
The shipmaster seeing his responsibility did all he could to save the ship and those aboard. He felt it prudent to wake Jonah and have him cry unto his god.
When he comes to Jonah sadly, he sees no difference between Jonah and anyone else in the world.
Jonah’s God, according to the shipmaster must be like the rest.
How sad it is for these that are without Christ, who have no hope of reaching God,
How sad it is for Jonah, who through his own disobedient state at this point has no testimony to these that are without.
6. The Mystery Known v7
We turn our attention now to verse 7. It is here that we see the sobering scene unfold. By this time all that are in this boat are afraid soaked from head to toe. The Bible tells us that the ship was “like to be broken.”
It seems they have exhausted every option they have.
Between verses 6 and 7 we are not told as to whether Jonah actually prays or not. But here in verse 7 we see the mariners searching for answers.
“And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.”
There is something telling about this. That in the world around us, people really are searching for answers. They may be expressing it in all kinds of ways. But ultimately people are trying to reconcile in their minds why they are here and why the situations of life are the way they are.
Of course we understand that this situation, was because of Jonah.
Like the before statement concerning the manner of gods, this was an attempt to uncover the cause of this tempest by superstitious mariners.
In looking at this “casting of lots” there are several things we must make note of.
Not every calamity in life has to do with some specific sin. (Though everything in this world is marred by the fall of man. Romans 8:18-22)
John 9:2 tells us of the disciples wrong assumption concerning a man that was born blind. They asked the Lord Jesus concerning this state, “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?”
The Lord’s answer show us, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:3)
Some calamities are a result from specific sin and chastisement.
Joshua chapter 7 - the sin of Achan
Joshua chapter 7 indicates to us, that because of the sin of Achan in the invasion of Jericho, the nation suffered chastisement.
II Samuel chapter 21 - the sin of Saul
II Samuel chapter 21 tells us of a famine int he land due to the action of Saul towards the Gibeonites.
John chapter 5:1-14 - sin no more, the impotent man made whole
The Lord Jesus specifically warned the impotent man who had been healed to “sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” (John 5:14)
Wisdom from God is required to determine if there is something that needs correcting or acknowledgement in our lives.
For the Christian, this is not done by casting lot, or by drawing straws. This is accomplished by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit of God.
No longer are we to rely on inferiority of casting a lot. We have God’s divine revelation, and we have God’s presence in us.
As I pointed out before, Jonah knew this storm was because of His disobedience.
The tempest would prove to be of no effect had God not made clear to Jonah the cause of it.
The tempest would prove to be of no effect to the mariners and shipmaster had God not made clear to them the cause of it.
Here in is God’s arm not shortened to reveal unto us truth.
He also is not ineffectual to reveal to a person whether they are lost or not.
The casting of lots was used in the Old Testament but not particularly sanctioned in the New Testament.
When we see this account we understand that these mariners used a lot to determine for whose cause this came about.
It was not the superstitious activity of the mariners that revealed the truth, but rather God using the situation to expose Jonah.
Just because God allowed the lot to be used in this instance and in several passages in the Old Testament for the disposing of matters does not justify this practice for us today.
The evidence for this is in the fact that it is not only used twice in the New Testament neither time with God’s Approval.
The first instance is found in Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34, and John 19:24 all dealing with the parting of Jesus’ garments by lot.
The second instance is found in Acts chapter 1:26 - where we find that Matthias is chosen to replace Judas.
This is the last instance in the New Testament that says anything about the use of a lot. The obvious is reason is because of (1) The completion of the Scriptures and (2) The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
No longer are you and I reliant upon the casting of stones to determine God’s Will.
“The use of the lot by the world today certainly has no virtue nor justification. Gambling and all its related games are promoted by greed and produces the worst kind of evils. To use our text to justify such practices is to manifest a perverted mind bent on doing evil. The honest mind will see our text for what it is—simply a record of what pagan sailors did and how God controlled it to expose Jonah's disobedience.” John G. Butler
We see not only the mystery known or we could say rather revealed.
But now we see the second section which shows us:
C. The Cause Of This Evil v8-12
1. The Accusations v8
v8 “Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?”
Here we come to find the questioning of Jonah.
The list of questions here interestingly begins with a question of Jonah’s occupation.
We could ask the same question of ourselves today, being part of Sharon Baptist Church, “What is your occupation?”
What are supposed to be doing? What is your job?
“The world of sin inquires of the Church, “What is thine occupation?” A religion that cannot give a valid reason for existence will and ought to die.
- The Biblical Illustrator: The Minor Prophets”
I can imagine this question rattling Jonah to his senses.
John Philips in his commentary put the conversation as going something like this:
“What is your occupation, stranger?
I am a preacher, a prophet of God.
Where did you come from?
From the presence of the Lord. I am running away from God.
What is your country?
I am from the promised land.
Who are your people?
The people of God!”
You can imagine in the midst of such events as the answers were given… the eyes of the mariners getting bigger and bigger.
Instead of the child of God being a comfort and blessing to those that need Christ, Jonah became to them a source of fear and anxiety.
Notice not only the accusation, but secondly:
2. The Answers v9
v9 “And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.”
We see in this response that Jonah, stated properly who he was.
The name ‘Hebrew’ “... was the name by which Israel was known to foreigners.” - Albert Barnes
Jonah identifies the one true living God as the God of heaven, the creator of both the sea and the dry land in contrast to the thought that individual deities were associated with the sea versus the land etc...
This usage of the term‘Hebrew’ is found first in Genesis 14:13, where Abraham was dwelling in the plain of Mamre the Amorite.
By Jonah’s statement that He feared the LORD, the God of Heaven, Jonah was identifying his purpose and station in life as a prophet.
This gives us another sure admonishment as a Christian.
If we were to ask you this morning who are you?
Many might identify with a job or a station in life.
Perhaps this is exampled best when folks initially talk to one another. Inevitably the conversations often begin with, “What do you do?”
The world’s question to us ought to be answered that we are Christians, followers of Jesus Christ.
Our identity is not found in our job, but rather are identity is with the risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. The Alarm v10,11
The fear found in verse 10 is different from what is expressed in verse 5.
What is different about this verse and the fear that the mariners now experienced?
This fear had to do with a revelation of truth.
No doubt the mariners are still afraid for their lives, but now the revelation of the fact that this tempest is a result of Almighty God caused them to be “exceedingly afraid...”
The next question that arises naturally is “Why have you done this?”
It is interesting how clear the wrong choices and consequences are seen from a distance.
You and I as we view this narrative concerning Jonah can oftentimes easily see the folly in this action and now the present danger that exists.
It is instructional for us to note the utter folly of disobedience to God and be reminded of it.
We all are familiar with the verse in Numbers 32:23 “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”
I want us to assuredly understand though this morning that because of the very character of sin it will always be discovered.
First, because we sin against a holy God.
God being the omniscience one, nothing is hidden from him.
There is no sin that takes place that is not accounted for by God.
His Holy character speaks to this.
Hebrews 4:13 tells us “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
Psalm 139:11, 12 speak to this as well where the Psalmist states, “If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”
Secondly, it is discovered in the experience of man.
Because of sin our lives are affected.
Our disposition and attitudes are affected. Sometimes it is even our health is affected.
All of this bares record to its awful effects.
The Bible tells us in Romans chapter 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
And so we see the accusations of the Mariners, the Answers given by Jonah, the alarm wrought by the answers that Jonah gave, and
Next week we will look at the last of this section and see “The Advice”
4. The Advice v12