Jonah 2:8
Jonah's story teaches us that trying to escape God's call, localizing God, and thinking we know better than Him can lead to misery and suffering.
Chuck Smith discusses Jonah's reluctance to obey God's call to go to Nineveh, highlighting Jonah's mistaken belief that he could escape God's presence and calling. Jonah's desire for the destruction of Nineveh stemmed from his fear of their potential repentance and God's mercy. The sermon emphasizes that those who pursue their own desires over God's will ultimately forsake their own mercy, leading to unnecessary suffering. Smith illustrates how Jonah's attempts to evade God's command resulted in dire consequences, teaching that true peace comes from obedience to God.
Text
"LEARNING AN EASY LESSON THE HARD WAY"
I. THE CALL OF GOD, "ARISE, GO TO NINEVEH."
A. Nineveh, the capitol of Assyria.
1. The Assyrians were becoming a powerful empire.
a. They were a threat to Israel.
b. They were very cruel.
B. Jonah thought if God destroyed Nineveh, nothing would please
him more.
1. He reasoned, "God is so merciful."
a. If I go preach they might repent.
b. If they repent, God might be merciful and
forgive.
c. Then they are still a threat to our national
security.
d. "I'm heading for Tarshish."
1. Tarshish thought to be England in those
days, the end of the world.
II. THE MISTAKES JONAH MADE.
A. That he could hide from the presence of God.
1. It is a mistake to localize God.
a. That is to think of Him as closer to one place
as opposed to another.
1. God fills every corner of the universe.
2. "If I ascend into heaven..., If I make
my bed in hell..., If I take wings..."
3. So often you'll hear ministers pray in
the church, "We are thankful for this
opportunity to come into Thy presence."
4. Had you gone to the bar, you would
still be just as much in the presence
of God. Just not as aware.
5. The enemies of Israel made a mistake,
"He is the God of the hills." He is the
God of the Universe!
B. That He could escape the call of God.
1. God said, "Go to Nineveh," Jonah headed in opposite
direction toward Tarshish.
2. "The gifts and callings of God are without repentance."
3. I believe when Jonah suggested to the sailors that they
throw him overboard, he was still thinking of escaping
the call of God.
a. Better dead than go to Nineveh.
4. I believe when the great fish swallowed him, he thought
it will soon be over, this is like hell, but I prefer
it to Nineveh.
C. He thought he could wait God out.
1. The miserable conditions he brought upon himself.
a. The floods compassed me, the waves sloshing
over me.
b. Seaweed wrapped around my head.
c. Hot and humid.
D. He thought he knew better than God.
III. THE EASY LESSON, "THEY THAT OBSERVE LYING VANITIES FORSAKE THEIR OWN
MERCY."
A. Some people think they know better than God what is good for
them.
1. They make such a mess of their lives.
2. They bring to themselves such misery.
Sermon Outline
- The Call of God
- The Mistakes Jonah Made
- The Easy Lesson
- Some people think they know better than God what is good for them
- Trying to escape the call of God
- Thinking he could wait God out
- Thinking he knew better than God
Key Quotes
“If I ascend into heaven..., If I make my bed in hell..., If I take wings... God fills every corner of the universe.” — Chuck Smith
“The gifts and callings of God are without repentance.” — Chuck Smith
“They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should not try to escape God's call, but rather obey His commands.
- We should not localize God, but rather recognize His presence in every aspect of our lives.
- We should not think we know better than God, but rather seek His guidance and wisdom.