Sovereign

When we think of the book of Jonah, what first comes to mind?  Jonah and a big puking whale?  As miraculous as that was, (not the puking part mind you, but the “in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” survival part – 1:17, 2:10).  There is something much more spectacular if we were to take one step back and see the story framed from a distance.

To sum it up in one word, “Sovereign.” Supreme or ultimate in authority and power.

God is Sovereign. 

He does what He wants.  When He wants. How He wants and with whom He wants. And yes, where He wants.  God has it all covered!

Jonah. 

Jonah was a reluctant missionary prophet, (a contemporary of the book of 2 Kings). He was initially unwilling to go and do as God said. He didn’t like the Ninevites. God was sending him to the capital of the pagan, Gentile, powerful, Assyrian empire—his enemies (big bad, icky, mean, and evil people). After the thrown overboard and fish excursion, (scholars believe the fish deposited Jonah right back where he started—God didn’t offer a shortcut) when he finally got to Nineveh, he simply declares his 5-word sermon, “40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (3:4).

The Ninevites repent and God honored their repentance, and they find His mercy.

In this story, these four short chapters (48 verses) declare how God commissions.  How He patiently waits. Shows His divine steering. Displays His “I mean what I said.” Then eventually His lavishing 2^nd chance. Not to mention (but I will) how He provides visual aids to get Jonah’s attention (disastrous storm, throwing sailors, fish, repentant city, plant, worm, and a scorching east wind). All flowing out from His character of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Ex 34:6b). And yes, His justice to a person—and ultimately, a people group.*

God moved.

How many times have we been reluctant for any reason to obey God?  Oh, we have our rationalizations* – our excuses.  We draw out the lengthy diagramed blueprint of “WHY” we can’t or why (without saying it out loud)—we won’t.  “FINALLY,” one of the key words to help summarize the story of Jonah. Perhaps we too need a finally in our story! May we (like Jonah) know, God means what He says, “You can do it My way or My way.” It is His way.

Yet may we notice too, God writes ‘turn around’ narratives and He graciously offers second chances within re-commissioning (3:1-2). When God calls us to something, He is faithful to see us through. To be frank folks, others are depending on our obedience!

God’s commissioning. Patience. Divine steering. His most gracious 2^nd chances. His beautiful (non-coincidence) visual aids. If we are in what seems to be a weird season, look. Look for His visual aids, look for His hand pointing.

Does this resonate?  It does for me.

God is Sovereign.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds – Hebrews 10:24).

*The Ninevites chose to go back into their sinful lifestyles, despite the very generous reaching of Yahweh. He patiently waited for them to return—for a bit.  He waited 150(ish) years. Then He sent another prophet, Nahum.  Jonah was initially unwilling, going to a willing people.  Nahum who was willing, went to (a grown to be) unwilling people.  Nineveh was eventually destroyed.  God is Sovereign.

*Rationalizations are invented explanations that hide or deny true motivations, motivations that eventually lead to action. They are excuses people give while embracing grey areas, to the extent in attempting to avoid judgement. Simply, rationalizing, is the action of attempting to explain or justify our behavior or mindset. (Summary from Psychology Today)