Jonah 1:1-17 and 3:1-10, CEB
The Lord’s word came to Jonah, Amittai’s son: “Get up and go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it, for their evil has come to my attention.”
So Jonah got up—to flee to Tarshish from the Lord! He went down to Joppa and found a ship headed for Tarshish. He paid the fare and went aboard to go with them to Tarshish, away from the Lord. But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, so that there was a great storm on the sea; the ship looked like it might be broken to pieces. The sailors were terrified, and each one cried out to his god. They hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to make it lighter.
Now Jonah had gone down into the hold of the vessel to lie down and was deep in sleep. The ship’s officer came and said to him, “How can you possibly be sleeping so deeply? Get up! Call on your god! Perhaps the god will give some thought to us so that we won’t perish.”
Meanwhile, the sailors said to each other, “Come on, let’s cast lots so that we might learn who is to blame for this evil that’s happening to us.” They cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. So they said to him, “Tell us, since you’re the cause of this evil happening to us: What do you do and where are you from? What’s your country and of what people are you?”
He said to them, “I’m a Hebrew. I worship the Lord, the God of heaven—who made the sea and the dry land.”
Then the men were terrified and said to him, “What have you done?” (The men knew that Jonah was fleeing from the Lord, because he had told them.)
They said to him, “What will we do about you so that the sea will become calm around us?” (The sea was continuing to rage.)
He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea! Then the sea will become calm around you. I know it’s my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
The men rowed to reach dry land, but they couldn’t manage it because the sea continued to rage against them. So they called on the Lord, saying, “Please, Lord, don’t let us perish on account of this man’s life, and don’t blame us for innocent blood! You are the Lord: whatever you want, you can do.” Then they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased its raging. The men worshipped the Lord with a profound reverence; they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made solemn promises.
Meanwhile, the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.
And from Jonah 3:1-10:
The Lord’s word came to Jonah a second time: “Get up and go to Nineveh, that great city, and declare against it the proclamation that I am commanding you.” And Jonah got up and went to Nineveh, according to the Lord’s word. (Now Nineveh was indeed an enormous city, a three days’ walk across.)
Jonah started into the city, walking one day, and he cried out, “Just forty days more and Nineveh will be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and put on mourning clothes, from the greatest of them to the least significant.
When word of it reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, stripped himself of his robe, covered himself with mourning clothes, and sat in ashes. Then he announced, “In Nineveh, by decree of the king and his officials: Neither human nor animal, cattle nor flock, will taste anything! No grazing and no drinking water! Let humans and animals alike put on mourning clothes, and let them call upon God forcefully! And let all persons stop their evil behavior and the violence that’s under their control!” He thought, Who knows? God may see this and turn from his wrath, so that we might not perish.
God saw what they were doing—that they had ceased their evil behavior. So God stopped planning to destroy them, and he didn’t do it.
Responding to God's Generosity
As we gather this Sunday after a momentous election, our nation continues to process varied emotions and reactions to the results. Some feel elated, others disappointed; some hopeful, others uncertain. In times of such division, Jonah’s story speaks powerfully to us. Like today, his world knew deep social and political fractures. He faced the challenge of extending God’s message to those he considered adversaries. Our human instinct, like Jonah’s, often leads us to draw lines between “us” and “them,” to retreat into comfortable bubbles of like-minded people. Yet God’s call frequently leads us beyond these self-imposed boundaries. Today’s message challenges us to examine our own reluctance to cross divides and to consider how we might participate in God’s work of reconciliation – even when it makes us uncomfortable.
Over the past weeks, we’ve journeyed through scripture, exploring the heart of wisdom and the power of faith. We witnessed Solomon’s request for discernment to lead God’s people and the widow’s sacrificial generosity in the face of scarcity. These stories challenged us to seek divine wisdom and exercise faith through generosity despite limited resources.
Today, we turn to Jonah, a prophet whose story weaves together themes of wisdom, faith, and God’s expansive love. Like Solomon, Jonah is called to exercise wisdom but initially resists. Like the widow, he’s asked to trust God’s plan, even when it seems risky. Yet Jonah’s tale introduces a new dimension: God’s concern for those outside God’s chosen people.
As we dive into Jonah’s reluctant mission, we’ll see how God’s wisdom often confounds human understanding, how faith is tested unexpectedly, and how divine mercy extends far beyond our imagining. Jonah’s story reminds us that God’s call often leads us beyond our comfort zones, inviting us to participate in God’s boundless grace. So consider jotting down moments that spark reflection for you today. Where do you see yourself in Jonah’s story? How might God be calling you today?
The book of Jonah, likely composed in the post-exile period around the 5th or 4th century BCE, stands unique among prophetic literature. Set against the backdrop of a dominant Assyrian Empire, it unfolds in the ancient city of Nineveh, modern-day Mosul in Iraq. This context is crucial, as Assyria was Israel’s feared enemy, known for its brutality.
Jonah’s narrative challenges the prevailing Jewish attitudes of the time. After the exile, the returned exiles tended towards isolationism and nationalism. The story’s message that God’s concern extends even to Israel’s enemies would have been provocative to its original audience.
Structurally, Jonah is more narrative than prophecy, comprising four chapters that form a cohesive story. Our focus on chapters 1 and 3, bookend Jonah’s experience in the fish in chapter 2 and his reaction to Nineveh’s repentance in chapter 4.
Theologically, Jonah grapples with divine sovereignty, human free will, and the scope of God’s mercy. The recurring phrase “the Lord provided” (a great fish, a plant, a worm) highlights God’s providence and control over creation. The story challenges a narrow view of those chosen by God, suggesting that God’s concern includes all nations.
The central message of these passages is clear: God’s compassion knows no boundaries. It extends beyond Israel to encompass even those considered enemies. This radical inclusivity challenges us to examine our prejudices and limitations on God’s love. Jonah’s story invites us to participate in God’s mission of reconciliation, even when it leads us outside our comfort zones.
Jonah’s story resonates with our lives today. Consider a high school student hesitant to befriend a new classmate from a different background, echoing Jonah’s reluctance to engage with Nineveh. Or the mid-career professional wrestling with a calling to shift gears and serve in a challenging community, much like Jonah’s struggle with God’s unexpected command.
We’ve all experienced moments of running from challenging tasks or uncomfortable truths. Perhaps it’s the retiree avoiding a conversation about racial reconciliation in our community, fearing conflict or misunderstanding. Like Jonah, we might find ourselves in the belly of our own “great fish” – trapped by our fears and biases.
Yet God’s persistent call doesn’t fade. The college graduate sensing a pull towards ministry despite family pressure for a more lucrative career or the grandparent feeling led to mentor at-risk youth could be examples of modern-day Jonahs given a second chance to answer God’s call.
Nineveh’s repentance challenges us to see the potential for change in unexpected places. The teenager advocating for environmental stewardship in a skeptical community or the older adult learning to embrace new perspectives on social justice could be present-day examples of transformation that might surprise us, just as Nineveh’s response shocked Jonah.
God’s boundless mercy, extending even to those we might consider undeserving, invites us to expand our circles of compassion. Whether bridging generational divides in our families, welcoming newcomers in our neighborhoods, or advocating for marginalized groups, Jonah’s story urges us to participate in God’s inclusive love.
The good news is that God’s love knows no bounds, and mercy extends to all. Jonah’s story reveals a divine compassion that surpasses human understanding, foreshadowing the ultimate expression of God’s love in Jesus Christ. Just as God pursued Jonah and showed mercy to Nineveh, God persistently seeks us out, offering grace and second chances.
In Christ, we see the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan hinted at in Jonah’s reluctant mission. Jesus embraced the call Jonah resisted, willingly entering the “belly of the earth” to bring salvation to all people. Where Jonah struggled with God’s expansive mercy, Jesus embodied it, breaking down barriers and offering forgiveness even to those society deemed unworthy.
This week, embody this radical love in your own life. You might identify someone you’ve been avoiding or judging, perhaps a difficult coworker or a neighbor with different beliefs. Commit to praying for them daily, asking God to help you see them through God’s eyes of compassion.
You could experiment with stepping out of your comfort zone to serve someone unexpected. This could mean reaching out to a lonely classmate or supporting a struggling family in your community.
I invite you to reflect on areas where you might be resisting God’s call. Set aside time each day to listen in prayer, being open to where the Spirit might guide you beyond your perceived limitations.
As we live out these practices, we participate in God’s ongoing work of reconciliation. Our small acts of obedience and love can ripple outward, transforming our hearts, families, workplaces, and communities. Like the people of Nineveh, we, too, can experience and extend unexpected grace, becoming living testaments to the boundless love of Christ.
God’s love knows no boundaries – not political parties, not national borders, not cultural differences. In this post-election moment, Jonah’s story reminds us that divine mercy extends far beyond our human limitations and prejudices. When we align ourselves with God’s expansive heart, we become agents of transformation in our divided world.
This week, courageously step beyond your comfort zone, reaching across the barriers that separate us from others. Whether engaging with those who voted differently, connecting with neighbors of different backgrounds, or bridging divides within our families, remember that God’s call often leads us to unexpected places and people. Like in Nineveh, transformation can happen in ways we never imagined when we open ourselves to divine possibilities.
Will you pray with me?
God of boundless mercy, in this time of national transition, give us courage to move beyond our comfortable boundaries. Help us see others through your eyes of love and participate in your healing work. Amen.
~Pastor Andrew Conard
