Chapter one sets up the story of Jonah and gives the book direction. This chapter also shows a calling from the Lord over Jonah and the direct disobedience of Jonah for God's will. This is an instance when not following God's will for your life not only affects you, but others around you.
While reading this passage, focus on how God can use a situation of disobedience for His glory. Notice the sailors reactions to their fear of the Lord and watch the outcome. After reading the passage pray and ask God to reveal an application for your life.
How is your submission affecting your life? Testimony? Relationships?
Are there areas of disobedience in your life that may be affecting others?
Do you see God using it for good regardless of you possibly not submitting?
-Aaron
Interesting how the all the sailors are crying out to their gods (small g). Then, realizing that those gods don't do anything, (hmm, maybe 'cause they don't exist!) plead to Jonah, asking him to cry out to his God. This recognition of the one true God is shown in verse 16, when they offered a sacrifice to God, and worshipped Him etc. I'm pretty sure that they were truly thankful because verse 16 also says that 'they feared the Lord exceedingly.'
ReplyDelete-Joshua
P.S. to the last comment: This all happened after Jonah had been thrown in the ocean. . .
ReplyDelete-Joshua
I found that God did use Jonahs disobedience for his Glory.God knew Jonah was going to try to run away, and so he sent a great storm.
ReplyDeletethen the sailors tried calling out to their own Gods to stop the storm but there was no reply.then Jonah told them to throw him overboard. and as soon as they did the storm calmed and they realized their Gods were not real.so in a way,even though Jonah disobeyed God,he used that disobedience to bring others to Christ.
I feel like this passage shows that we can all be ministers for the Lord even when we don't feel perfect and when we think we are not good enough. To me it also shows that with every mistake you make God gives you a chance to repent and to use those mistakes to reach others.
ReplyDelete-Stephanie
Well, I found the behavior of the sailors really surprising.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, when I picture these sailors, I think of pirate-type guys. You know, strong, no-nonsense, tough guys. Right? This storm had them /crying/ and throwing their cargo overboard... you know, the stuff they needed to get PAID. I would assume these guys have been in quite a few storms in their time. This was a REALLY BAD storm. (On a side note, how in the WORLD did Jonah sleep through that? o.0 [v5])
Then they cast lots (threw dice, drew straws, flipped coins, etc.) to figure out who was responsible for the storm. But when they found out it was Jonah, and he said to throw him overboard, they didn't do so right away. Again, I'm thinking of pirate-like people. I mean, I would've thought, "We're all probably going to die anyway. And this guys is asking us to throw him overboard. What do we have to lose?" But they still tried to get to shore and only threw him over as a last resort. [v13]
I'm not really sure if it means anything or what, but it's a new perspective on the story that I've never had before.