We read in Jonah 1:13, “Instead, the sailors tried to get the ship to shore, rowing with all their might. But the storm was becoming worse and worse, and they got nowhere.” (GNB)
As we continue these studies on the life of Jonah, there are many lessons that we can learn from the same. Though Jonah had received the word of God, he chose to disobey, and the consequence was that the ship in which he voyaged encountered a furious tempest. The entire crew on that ship were filled with dread, but they somehow sensed that someone on that ship was responsible for this turmoil. On casting lots they discover that Jonah was the wrongdoer, and then began to question him.
We read in Jonah 1:10, Then the men were terrified. They knew that he was running away from the LORD, because he had told them. They asked Jonah, "Why have you done this?" (GW)
The men on that ship were so perplexed that they asked Jonah, “Why have you done this?” because he had put all of them in much trouble, because of his disobedience.
Oftentimes, when as children of God we disobey the Lord, and do things that we are not supposed to do, it creates a sense of disquiet and becomes a hindrance to many around us. That is the reason why we should be cautious to walk in obedience to the word of God all the time.
We are the salt of the earth
These are the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:13, "You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, how will it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. (GW)
Salt is used for various purposes. Salt is used to preserve food items, so that they do not get spoilt. Salt is also used to add taste to the food we prepare. If salt loses its flavor, then it becomes unfit for use. This is why Jesus said that such tasteless salt, would be fit for nothing, but to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Jesus said we are the salt of the earth, and we must be aware that the eyes of many are constantly watching us. People around us are keenly observing our lives, our speech and our activities, for we are their role models. However, when we walk in disobedience to God we will be the cause for confusion, and also be a stumbling block to those who are not yet in the fold.
Abram was questioned by Pharaoh
Abram walked out of his own country by faith in obedience to the word of God. Nonetheless when Abram came to Egypt, he asked his wife Sarai to hide the fact that she was his wife, and to pretend that she was his sister. The reason Abram did this was because he feared that since Sarai was beautiful, the king of Egypt might do away with Abram in order to take possession of Sarai.
Things happened just as Abram thought they would. Pharaoh’s men noticed that Sarai was beautiful and informed him, so Pharaoh had them bring Sarai to his palace. When Sarai went to Pharaoh’s palace, the Lord in His grace intervened. God brought many plagues on Pharaoh’s household because of Sarai.
These are the word of Pharaoh as we read in Genesis 12:18, Then the king sent for Abram and asked him, "What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me that she was your wife? (GNB)
This was a question that was so similar to the one that the sailors asked Jonah. Both the sailor on Jonah’s ship and Pharaoh were unbelievers, who did not know the true God. However, they realized that these were people of God, who believed in the true and living God. They also perceived that because of their disobedience or deceit of God’s people, they as outsiders were challenged with the consequences.
Pharaoh questioned Abram as to why he hid the fact that Sarai was his wife. Though Abram tried to explain things away, this would have been an unforgettable experience for Pharaoh and his household.
As children of God we must be sure to see we live circumspectly before others around us, so that we do not in any way become a hindrance to their coming to faith in the Lord.
The donkey questioned the prophet
There is another incident in the bible about the prophet Balaam. Balaam who was allured by the big offer of gifts from King Balak, proceeded to go ahead to curse the people of Israel, though God had clearly warned him not to do so. The Lord allowed Balaam to continue on his journey, but midway the angel of the Lord stopped Balaam in his tracks. Though the donkey in which Balaam travelled saw the angel of the Lord standing with a drawn sword, the prophet failed to recognize the angel of the Lord. When the donkey out of fear edged in towards the wall and sat down, Balaam began to beat the donkey.
We read in Numbers 22:28, Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (ESV)
In this incident God opened the mouth of the donkey, so that it spoke to him and questioned him as to why he struck it three times for nothing wrong that it had done. If the donkey had continued in the path without halting, the angel of the Lord would have probably struck Balaam dead.
If we desire that we should not be a stumbling block to others, it is imperative that we walk in total obedience to God and His word. We must ask God to reveal His will to us, and be willing to do it. Only then will we be good testimonies to others, and will surely be the salt that God calls us to be.
Jonah was asked for a solution
We read in Jonah 1:11-12, Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.” (ESV)
Jonah was a quite a different and an irresponsible man it seems. He told the men to pick him up and throw him into the sea. It is interesting to note that Jonah very deliberately disobeyed God, chose to go in the opposite direction, and put the lives of all passengers in jeopardy. Now, that he was found out, he wanted the men to take the responsibility to pick him up and hurl him into the sea, instead of jumping into the sea on his own.
When I read the part of the verse where Jonah said, ‘hurl me into the sea’, I was reminded of another portion of scripture.
The penalty for those who cause others to stumble
We read in Luke 17:1-2, Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. (NIV)
Jesus taught his disciples that as long as we are here on earth, there will be many situations and temptations that will come our way, and cause us to stumble. However, the person who is the cause for others to stumble is to be condemned. The punishment that Jesus said should be meted out to someone who is a stumbling block to others was severe. He said it would be far better for that person to have a millstone be tied around his neck, and for that person to be cast into the sea.
This is so much like what happened to Jonah. Jonah knew that if the tempest were to cease, the ship’s voyage was to continue, and everyone aboard that ship had to be safe, there was only one solution. That is why, Jonah volunteered to be thrown into the sea.
We must analyze ourselves to see that we don’t ever become those people who hinder someone from growing in their faith. Not one should see the way we live, and walk away from God or reject God because of us. The Lord will judge those who do so most strictly. Only when we live in obedience to God’s word every day, will our lives be a blessing to those around us, and help them grow in their faith.
There are some who will like Jonah will slip in quietly into the church. As time goes by, there will be untold problems and confusion because of these people. Either these people have to repent and realize that they are not to be an obstacle to others, or else the Lord demands that they be totally be removed from their place and be cast out from our midst.
We looked at three people, Jonah who by his deliberate disobedience brought trouble to an entire ship. When he knew there was no way out, he asked that he be cast into the sea. The men on the ship asked him, “Why did you do this?” Abram who ventured out by faith was suddenly filled with fear when he entered Egypt. He lied about his wife and the consequence was that the entire palace of Pharaoh were severely plagued. Pharaoh asked Abram, “What have you done to me?” Balaam went in rebellion and had to be questioned by a donkey.
Whenever we rebel against the Lord, this is the same question that is being thrown at us by those outside.
The sea refused to calm down, until Jonah was thrown into the sea. The mariners tried hard, but could not prevail against that fierce storm. Even today if there are those who are in organizations or churches who are living in disobedience or rebellion to God, they must be cautioned that they are hindering the work, and progress of the kingdom of God. God’s word is forthright to such. Anyone who hinders these little ones, it would be far better to have them eliminated, rather than they continue to be a hindrance to the work of the Lord.
If we observe the bible, the Lord gave varied counsel to different people. The counsel of God is never uniform for everyone. Even those who came for healing to Jesus, to each of them the method He used were quite unique. We too need to seek the Lord for His guidance for each day, so that our lives will certainly be a blessing to others, and never be a hindrance to anyone.
The man who was asked to stay silent
We read in Mark 1:39-45, And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction. (NKJV)
Jesus was preaching all throughout Galilee teaching in the synagogues, and casting out demons. The lepers in the days of Jesus were outcasts. They had to stay away from others, and people considered them as those who were defiled. This leper somehow managed to make his way to Jesus and expressed his faith in Jesus and begged for healing. Jesus was moved with compassion when this leper approached him. Jesus touched him and healed him instantly. In those days if someone were to touch a person who had leprosy they would be considered as having been defiled. Nonetheless, when Jesus touched the leper, the man was cleansed and his defilement left him.
Once the man was healed the Lord instructed him to not tell anyone about this miracle. In the great commission the Lord commanded his disciples to go and preach the gospel to the ends of the world. However, here the instruction to the leper who was healed was different. He was only asked to go to the priest, and offer the sacrifices that Moses had commanded them to do. This man on the other hand went, and broadcast this to everyone freely, so much so that Jesus could no longer enter that city, but had to minister outside in deserted places. Maybe this man thought he was sharing the good news of his healing, but by his disobedience, he became a hindrance to the ministry that Jesus was doing freely in the regions of Galilee.
When the broken and the downcast come to Jesus, He is always willing to accept and help them. There may be those who are being side-lined or cast aside by relations or friends. Take heart and know that when you come to the Lord, the Lord will willingly accept you. God will intervene to change your loneliness, and will bring healing to your brokenness.
Sometimes, the Lord will ask us to remain silent. At those times we should be humble, obedient and willing to listen. When we go ahead and speak inappropriately, we will get ourselves and others into much trouble. As children of God instead of doing what we think is right, we must seek His guidance for everything. This included things like where we should go, what we should do, who we should speak to, and when we should speak. Our obedience should be such that we should only do what God wants us to do, and refrain from doing anything that He does not approve of. Only then, will we be the blessing that God wants us to be, and we will not be an obstacle to anyone from growing in their faith.
The man who was asked to proclaim
When Jesus came into the region of Gadarenes, He healed a man who was demon possessed.
We read in Mark 5:18-20, As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had had the demons begged him, “Let me go with you!” But Jesus would not let him. Instead, he told him, “Go back home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how kind he has been to you.” So the man left and went all through the Ten Towns, telling what Jesus had done for him. And all who heard it were amazed. (GNB)
Here was a man who was delivered of a legion of demons that tormented, and oppressed him. As Jesus got into the boat to leave that town, the man who had been healed begged Jesus that he too should go with Him. Jesus told this man to go back to his family, and proclaim to them all that the Lord had done for him. This man went and proclaimed the wondrous miracle that God had performed in his life in Decapolis, which meant ten towns, so that everyone who heard were filled with wonderment.
These are days when we must walk cautiously before the Lord, with a heart that is in total obedience to His word. We need God’s wisdom, counsel and must tarry in prayer, before we decide to do anything. Let there be no one who will be hindered because of our life in their faith walk with Jesus. When we do so, not only will we and our families be safe guarded, everyone around us will be blessed, and will live in peace.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
