It is easy to criticize Jonah’s response to the message, ‘Go to Nineveh’; why would he disobey such a call? Why would he be so selfish with God’s mercy? Why would he prefer that they perish? Oh! What kind of a Christian was he in the first place? Why would he want to see them being destroyed? What a shame on him! We may have valid points, but in the midst of the critics we must realize that Jonah’s disobedience is designed to be a mirror we can use to view ourselves.
Jonah was sent to a great city. In an attempt to avoid the call, he ran several miles away in the opposite direction. As much as you can point out Jonah’s selfishness, he also had reasons for his action; he really didn’t like the people of Nineveh, because they did a lot of evil. How will they receive God’s mercy just like that? Don’t they deserve to be punished?
I am throwing a question at you; Are you a Jonah, sent to Nineveh, a great city (a place or to someone) but is running to Tarshish (an opposite direction)?
Your reasons like Jonah may be; this person or place is evil and deserves to be punished, it may be that you do why not like the place or person and would prefer to go somewhere ‘better’ or to someone ‘better’. Your reason could even be that you have excused the person in advance, ‘Nah! That lady/guy won’t listen to me’. It could be that you recognize that it is a ‘great city’ and want to run to a ‘little town’ to avoid feeling intimidated.
You might be able to write books on tangible reasons you are running to Tarshish, far away from where God has sent you to preach. Kudos! Nevertheless, you must also remember that evangelism is built on love. Jonah was sent to Nineveh that he would preach and the people will be delivered from destruction. Do you love your neighbor enough to save him from perishing? Do you love that brother or sister enough to save him or her from destruction? Or would you prefer to hold on to your excuses?
You don’t have to be in the fish belly before you think of repenting! It is time to turn around! If you have been given a second chance, do not miss it!
Favour Nguuma Yol