JONAH 1:3
CONTUMACIOUS CLERIC
CIRCUMVENTS CLEAR COMPLIANCE
I. CITY:
A. Convenient.
B. Cosmopolitan.
C. Commercial.
II. CRAFT:
A. Costly.
B. Construction.
C. Connotation.
III. CREDULITY:
A. Company.
B. Confident.
C. Calamitous.
If w one word could describe one person then Jonah could be aptly noted as being “contumacious.” This is a big word but it really means “rebellious.” This certainly describes Jonah. God looked down from His throne in Heaven and picked out the one man who could do the most for His kingdom-Jonah. Yet, due to a myriad of fears, personal issues and the feeling of superiority over his supposed audience, the chosen man refused and did not want to obey God. Not only did he refuse to obey the Lord, but he set out on a course of fleeing from God, thinking that his actions would supersede God’s call and he would win in the end. How wrong he proved himself to be.
However, let us not be too critical of old Jonah. Let us not think that he was only one of his kind. The opposite is the truth. Jonah stands today as the “Patron Saint” of the many, the very many, who down through history, have said a big, “No” to God and have gone on their own way-thinking they knew better than God did concerning how do one’s own thing without obeying God. Like Jonah, the very many obstinate and rebellious people who have turned their back on God and refused to follow Him, have had to pay a dear price for their rebellion. Fortunately, Jonah realized his mistake, repented and then followed God. Yet there are many who never take advantage of the chance to repent and to follow God as Jonah did thus ending their lives being bitter, hurt and angry.
As I look at verse three, I see where Jonah set out on a deliberate path to disobey God never dreaming that the One who made him and all things in his world, could not be ignored nor rejected without paying a heavy price. Jonah knew what he was doing when he did arise as is stated in verse three, but he did not arise to follow God. He arose from his place of being and fled to a city where he thought God would not follow him. His plans were-to him-fool proof. He knew where to go to flee from the presence of God, so he thought. What he was not considering was that God’s omnipresence would encounter him where ever he would go. Jonah found out that the God of Israel was also the God of the whole world and he could not run away from the Spirit of God who inhabits eternity and this world.
As I study this verse, I note three things about Jonah’s actions. The first thing I note has to do with Joppa itself, the CITY where he went to begin his flight from God. The second thing I see in this verse relates to the CRAFT he chose to sail away from the all seeing eye of God. Lastly, I note his CREDULITY, his choice to go about his own way. All of these events were nothing more than crutches upon which he relied in his flight from God. Later, all of these things would turn to mock him when he finally came to the realization that he had best obey God and stop his rebellion.
I. CITY: The first thing I note about our man of the hour is his selection of the city of Joppa for his departure from Israel and his long flight away from God. This city was famous for centuries previously to the time of Jonah. It seemed to be one of those ports especially formed by the hand of the Maker. Its shallow water line allowed boats to actually broach the shoreline and unload/load their cargo without fear of becoming lodged on the banks. Another part of the city’s coastal line was higher and formed a semi-circle of barrier reefs which made it possible for self defense in case of being under a siege. At the time of Jonah, it was a bustling city and it was where he found a ship headed to Tarshish, probably a city in southern Spain, hoping to flee from God.
Another aspect of this city was that it was Convenient for the rebellious prophet to find. Its fame and popularity, with its location along the sea coast of the Mediterranean Sea, was famous in the area and Jonah did not have to wait long until he found the perfect spot to begin his exodus from the presence of God. I note the text says that, “He went down to Joppa.” This description of the topography of the land is more accurate than it seems at first glance. From his original spot where he heard God call him to his action of fleeing, he literally had to descend the hills of his land to go down to a place that was sea level.
Yet, there is more here than just walking down hill to a city on the side of a sea of water. Jonah went down all right in his walking to the port of Joppa, but he also “went down” from the order of God. He chose his plight and instead of going up to fulfill God’s command, he “went down “ physically and he “went down” in his heart. One never goes up with a rebellious heart-one always descends downward.
There was something else about this CITY that needs to be viewed, it was a Cosmopolitan city in its day. This city was used by many ships, fought over by different conquerors and was viewed as being very strategic in its location as being an entry into the interior of all of the land in Israel and its surrounding countries. As a result of its strategic location, and its history of attracting so much interest by neighboring countries, this sea port city of Joppa was a city that offered everything for the fleshly gratification of its day. This was not what God wanted for Jonah; this was what Jonah wanted for Jonah. While seeking out his ship to carry him far away, he could indulge in vices of the flesh and taste the dregs of sin in the process. It was a thriving, Cosmopolitan city of its time and there Jonah was able to drown out the call of his conscience and the call of God to go to Nineveh. This setting, this situation, this scenario is all too frequently observed when people decide to flee from God-anonymity amidst the low life of society as one deludes himself into thinking that one has at last stilled the voice of a just God which calls one constantly to do the right thing.
The last part of my discussion on the CITY of Joppa is that it was very Commercial. It was here that money was exchanged for everything. It was here that Jonah exchanged money for a ship fare to Tarshish. Jonah was willing to pay money for a ticket trying to buy off the True God of the Universe. We should not be too hard on old Jonah. What he did centuries ago still is being done today. People are still trying to “buy off” God rather than serve Him. People will give to churches, charities, and worthy foundations thinking they are doing great things for God when all He asks from any of us is our obedience to Him. Giving to these worthy causes is noble but the most noble thing anyone can do is to open one’s heart first to God and then open one’s pocketbook to help spread the good news about our Lord. Jonah engaged in some wild Commercial activity that day when he bought his ticket. He thought that he could buy his peace and happiness and still the storm which raged inside of him. His transactions at the ticket window for his ship might have stilled the storm within him at that time, but he was about to experience a storm which would doom him unless he made peace with his God. Such is the lot of those who willingly turn away from God.
II. CRAFT: Besides finding his way to Joppa for a quick exit from the country, Jonah had to find the right CRAFT to carry him to Tarshish. This city was no doubt located in southern Spain which meant that he had to find a sturdy boat to take him to his destination. He had to be choosey and it might have taken some time for him to find the correct vessel.
We do not know how long he searched for a vessel, but what we do know is that he found a ship preparing to sail to the farthest part of the Mediterranean Sea and that was enough for him. Why is it that mankind will run away from God and seek one’s own way in life rather than accept what God has in store for one and simply yield oneself to God?
I notice what else the Bible has to say about this brazen adventure of Jonah: it was Costly, because he paid the fare and entered the ship. When mankind runs away from God and His call upon one’s life-it is very costly. The price one pays out of one’s own storehouse for refusing to follow God is indeed very Costly. We do not know how much Jonah paid, but he never received the total benefits of his money because he never finished his journey to Tarshish and had to abandon ship somewhere out on the Sea.
Another point to remember about this CRAFT is that like so many people who refuse to follow God, there are always others who are more than glad to take one’s money regardless of the plight of the individual. If that Company knew what was in store for the vessel it owned, the people would not have sold Jonah a ticket to anywhere. The ship eventually lost everything of value regarding its cargo and it finished its run without making any money for the owner(s) of that particular vessel.
I also note the Construction of this vessel-it was large enough for sailors, merchandise and what ever else it needed to survive on the water for a short period of time. It was roomy enough to accommodate passengers, at least one, because the Bible says that Jonah, “went down into the ship.” First, he went down to Joppa then he went down to the hold of the ship. Later he will descend to the bottom of the Sea-all because he was running away from God.
I also note that this CRAFT was a marked vessel. It received God’s special attention: his Connotation of this vessel is worth noting. This ship which heretofore was a good vessel and no doubt was a very sturdy boat was marked by the God of the universe to undergo some trials which it probably never experienced before this time. The reason for its Connotation by God was the fact that this vessel was carrying a renegade prophet and God was not going to let some timber and salt water come between Him and His man of the hour. This boat was indeed marked for God’s direct dealings in a matter of a few hours. No one knew what was in store for this boat, its contents or its human cargo-but God knew and He waited until the right time to visit this craft with His anger at Jonah and for the boat that carried him away from God’s call on his life.
III. CREDULITY: I come to the last part of my sermon on this Contumacious Cleric as he sought to short circuit God’s call upon his life. The aspect of his haste to believe in his actions too readily certainly shows his CREDULITY in the entire escape plan which he hatched somewhere from the time he received his call until he boarded the boat headed for Tarshish.
The one outstanding aspect of his muddled thoughts regarding his plan was concerning the Company he was about to keep. According to the Book of Jonah, these people with whom he sailed were non-believers in God and they were seasoned Sailors. The reputation of such people precedes their actions almost all of the time. These men were not afraid of too many things and their roustabout life proved such actions. Jonah decided to keep company with men such as these sailors rather than venture on East and keep company with the ones to whom he was sent. One has to wonder if Jonah was up to the task of sailing with such men as the sailors on board this ship as it headed into disaster.
It is interesting to see a pattern here. When ever one rejects God’s best, almost all of the time the rebellious person begins to keep company with non too friendly people of Christian character. It is evident here, Jonah began to keep company with men who no doubt held a low estimation by the society of the time. Deciding to follow God, opens windows for a person to keep company with the “Salt of the earth.” Rejecting God’s call upon one’s life opens the doors for one to sink to lower levels in order to find companionship. The old axiom is true, “Birds of a feather flock together.” The Bible says it in a more succinct form, “What rites do the children of light have to do with the children of darkness?” Responding positively to God’s call upon one’s life opens doors for refinement and better company. Solomon added his insights when he said that “Iron sharpens Iron” and true Christians do help bring out the best of fellow Christians by deepening their faith in God.
Jonah’s quick actions here cast him with the dregs of his time and he would soon be made aware of the fact that he had done wrong not only to himself, but to these who were on board with him when the ship left port.
Regardless of his choice of companions for the trip, Jonah was Confident that he was on the right road for him. He found a ship headed for a far distant sea port; he paid his way; he chose his company for the long haul; and, he was certain that he would out distance himself from God. He was going far away to leave his home land and his obligation. He was Confident that God would not do anything to him and he was certain that bringing any message to the people of Nineveh, would be a lost cause. He was also certain that by doing what he was doing he was going to save his life and add years to his time on this Earth. After all, he was certain that the Ninevites would not heed him and they might just kill him. And, if by chance, the people of Nineveh did listen to him and did respond to his call to repentance, he would not be doing his nation of Israel any good because the heathen people of Nineveh would be on a spiritual plain with the Israelites and they would enjoy God’s favor. No, in Jonah’s mind, he was doing the best thing for him. How twisted Satan makes people think when they decided to disobey God.
His haste in doing what he was doing is revealed in his choice of Company which he was about to keep and his quick actions revealed his warped state of Certainty about him doing the correct thing. There is one other result of his far too quick decision: it proved Calamitous for all on board that vessel when it sailed.
How true the Sacred Word is when it says that no man lives or dies unto himself. We all influence others in many ways. Parents who refuse to take their children to church, who refuse to go themselves, who openly flaunt God’s plan of salvation, influence their offspring unto many generations later.
People who refuse to give God any part of their lives save for the occasional lip service at Christmas and Easter times, do themselves and their family great misfortune. The decision to run from God proved to be disastrous for all who came in contact with Jonah once upon the Sea. Out of my own family, I have seen the disastrous effects upon one my brothers who refused to follow God. All we children were taken to church, twice on Sundays, once on Wednesday nights, along with attending every revival service, missionary service, Watch Night Service, musical singing services, youth rallies, church rallies, etc., etc., etc. Our world was our church life. In the days when there were little or no TVs and little other happenings, Church filled that void. We were taught early to follow God, attend His house, and read His Word.
I remember my one brother saying many times that when he become his own man and have his own home, he would never go to church any more. He has kept his word faithfully for now nigh fifty years. His kids never grew up in the church nor did his grandchildren. Now, his one daughter sits in a state prison due to her commerce in illegal drugs. Her nephew, one of my brother’s grandsons sits in another state prison convicted or raping a young girl. Going to church will not automatically guarantee success, but it is better to go than to not go. My brother’s choice proved to be Calamitous for him and for his family.
Jonah’s choice, his quick thinking about running from God, proved his down fall. He did find a City from where he could sail away into the sunset; he did find a boat that was ready to carry him to his choice of destination, however, his lack of thought and quick decision proved to be his undoing. May we remember, that it is better to be a doorman in the house of God rather than sit in the gates of our enemies.
