God, Jonah and the Ayatollah
Have you ever wondered if the events recorded in scripture actually happened? I have. Rather than fussing about the literalness of the story, I choose to seek out the wondrous truths within the story.
When I read the many dozens of verses of scripture that begin with the phrase “a certain man”, I think of myself. I imagine the “certain man” to be a regular guy who strives to live a good life but isn’t always successful, but neither is he rebellious.
To me, Jonah was that kind of guy. Think of Jonah as a rabbi living in Jerusalem who is called on a mission to preach repentance to the Ayatollah in Iran. For Jonah, the calling was both dangerous and disagreeable. He hated the Ninevites much the same way that a fundamentalist Jew might hate the fundamentalist Iranian Shiites.
In your life, you will regularly be called upon to do things that are disagreeable and which cause discomfort and fear. Choose carefully how you respond.
Jonah’s response was to run and hide, not just from Nineveh but from God. He boarded a ship to a remote place called Tarshish.
You are fooling yourself to think that you can run and hide from your troubles and fears.
The writer of the Book of Job observed: “… man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” Said another way, adversity is a normal part of life and is necessary for our growth.
The choice to run from life’s challenges is the choice to deny life’s purpose. It is in facing the struggle that we find meaning and self-worth.
That doesn’t mean that you should go looking for trouble. Troubles will seek you out.
A great storm arose and when it was determined that Jonah was the cause everyone agreed, including Jonah, that he should be thrown overboard. Can it get any worse than being cast into the tempest in the pitch darkness of night and then being swallowed by a sea monster that submerges into the abyss with you, still alive, gasping for breath in its belly?
Jonah finally faced his greatest fear, God, and in desperation, humbled himself in prayer.
After God answered Jonah’s prayer and saved him from the depths of hell, facing the “Ayatollah” seemed simple by comparison. God had saved him from the whale which gave Jonah faith that God would save him from the Ninevites
Faith – is trust that God will keep you safe and guide your path.
With newfound faith, Jonah confidently called the Ninevites to repentance. They prayed for forgiveness and the entire nation, including all the animals, fasted from food and water and were forgiven by God.
In the final scene, Jonah is angrily suffering in the hot desert sun. He can’t find it in his heart to forgive the people of Nineveh.
Forgiving others is one of the nicest things you can do for yourself. Hate is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. Forgiveness drains away the poison.
Jonah can’t believe that God forgave the Ninevites. The story ends with an unasked question? “Why should I not forgive the Nineties? I forgave you, didn’t I?” I wonder also if Jonah may be having trouble forgiving himself.
How will you act?
Make a list of the things that you are avoiding or running from. Where is or what is the Tarshish that you are fleeing to? (I often flee to the fridge for a snack) What is the worst that could happen if you move forward with courage? What is the worst thing that could happen if you run away?
Is there someone for whom you harbour ill will? How would forgiving that person improve your life?
Credits: I borrowed the painting of Jonah from preacherbrotherbob’s website