The Real Reason Jonah Disobeyed God

I had Jonah all wrong.

Photo Credit: Caroline (Creative Commons)

If you grew up in the church like I did, you've no doubt heard the story of Jonah and the whale (or fish) a thousand times. It's a great story for kids because it involves a giant animal, disobedience, and vomit.

But usually we don't tell kids the whole story when it comes to Jonah. We usually end the story after God spares Jonah, Jonah goes to Ninevah, and God forgives the Ninevites.

But have you ever read the whole book of Jonah? If not, you really should because there is a much larger lesson in the book than just "it's not a good idea to disobey God."

There's a reason God chose Jonah specifically and not someone else.

The Most Unbelievable Story in the Bible

Have you heard the most unbelievable story in the Bible?

It’s not Jonah surviving an encounter with a giant fish.
It’s not God parting the Red Sea.
It’s not Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.

Even St. Jerome can't believe it. (dbking, CC)

No, the most unbelievable story in the Bible is a less well-known one.

This Verse Says You Should Be Like Satan

You shouldn’t ignore evil; it won’t ignore you.

Pretending like Satan doesn’t exist is a mistake. That’s exactly what he wants. He’s subtle: telling half truths, using our weaknesses against us.

Kool Cats Photography (CC)

Sometimes it’s easier to act like evil isn’t real because acknowledging it can be terrifying. Fear not. Jesus gave us some good advice on how to deal with evil. When He sent His disciples out to preach the good news He told them that they were in danger:

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Matthew 10:16a

Without awareness of the wolves you are more vulnerable to temptation, more likely to stumble, more likely to play their game. This is why Jesus told the disciples to be like Satan in one regard:

3 Sabbath Principles Every Smart Christian Knows

Did you know that failing to observe the Fourth Commandment, the Sabbath commandment, can lead to moral deficiency?

True, Old Testament law is only applicable to the believer inasmuch as it relates to morality, but the Fourth Commandment addresses three ills you might otherwise overlook. It is quite possible to overcome these sins without observing the Sabbath, but smart Christians know that God instituted the Sabbath for our benefit.

Tossing it aside would be foolish.

William Warby (CC)

So here are the three negative consequences of ignoring the Sabbath:

One Lie Many Well-Meaning Christians Tell You About Love

I’ve said it before. You might have too.

But it’s not true.

I understand why we say it. Those who do are all well-meaning. It’s hyperbole to make a point.

Wild Creative Group (CC)

Stop me if you’ve heard this one:

“Love is not an emotion.” (Sometimes it’s appended with, “It’s a choice.”)

How to Be a Part of Something That Matters

Quick question: What does the Tower of Babel have to do with Pentecost?

The Tower of Babel, Pieter Bruegel

You know the Babel story well. We humans got together to try to build a tower that would reach heaven. So God mixed up our languages making it difficult to work together. In the process, He says something interesting:

3 Pieces of Hard Evidence for the Existence of God

God exists outside of our finite universe.

We are bound by time. He created time.

We are bound by fatigue. God does not tire (Isa. 40:28).

We must eat to survive. God is life itself.

Patrick Feller (CC)

But God gave us three pieces of hard evidence as ways to reveal himself to us.