Running from God - Jonah 1
The story of Jonah is fascinating because of the unblinking honesty of it. The highs and lows of Jonah’s life and mission are interwoven to create a mix of joy and pain, of obedience and disobedience. Many people would describe life as a roller coaster that has its highs followed by lows, but for many of us this picture isn’t accurate. Often our highs and lows are separated by mere hours or days, not by seasons or years. The mixture of triumph and defeat seen in the story of Jonah honestly reflect the modern Christian struggling to honor God in this life. We succeed and fail, laugh and cry, love and hate. Seeing how God prevails even in the midst of our frail human nature will help us love Him more and follow him more faithfully.
The first chapter opens with God calling Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach to them. Jonah doesn’t want to do it and tries to run from God. Interestingly, the Bible doesn’t say, “Jonah disobeyed God,” but rather, “he rose … to flee from the presence of the Lord.” (Jonah 1:3) In Jonah’s disobedience he creates distance between himself and the presence of God. Could it be that for Christians God links his “presence” with obedience to his mission?
The word “presence” is found three times in the first chapter alone. (Jonah 1:3a, 1:3c, 1:10) The Hebrew word for presence is paniym, which in English is “face.” The concept of God’s presence throughout the Old Testament is one of proximity and blessing. But the question arises, “Isn’t God everywhere?” Can someone run from a God who’s everywhere? Yes and yes … There are numerous texts that talk about God being everywhere. For example, David wrote, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Or, where can I flee from your presence? (Psalm 139:7) Scripture tells us plainly that we cannot physically run from God; He is everywhere. His presence or “face” looks upon the highest heights and the deepest depths. So, what could it mean to flee from God’s presence if God is everywhere?
God is everywhere, but there are times in the Bible where God seems to be more present in certain places. For example, in 1 Kings 8 King Solomon finishes the Temple in Jerusalem and at the dedication proclaims, “Will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27, ESV). But nonetheless, upon the Temple’s completion God’s glory filled the temple! (1 Kings 8:10-11) At that time and place God chose to express Himself more fully. This doesn’t compromise God’s omnipresence at all, He simply chooses to bless us at certain times.
When Jonah ran from God he simply avoided the places God seemed to express Himself more plainly. By disobeying God’s command he chose to avoid intimacy and nearness to God. To us Jonah may seem foolish to try and run from a God who’s everywhere, but if we’re honest its not a story we can’t relate to.
When we are in sin and disobedient in any area of life, do we not avoid places where God might express Himself more fully? When I am in rebellion the last thing I want to do is meet with other believers to study the Bible or pray. Scripture tells us that when we meet with other believers, God is there. (Matthew 18:20) It also tells us that when we go to church to worship God and hear his Word, He is there. (Hebrews 10:24-25) When we avoid church or small group because we are in sin or not feeling particularly spiritual we, like Jonah, are fleeing from God. And while we can never flee his sovereignty, his will or his calling, we can go to places in life where God seems more distant and less intimate.
Questions for Personal Devotion
1. What does this teach you about trying to run from God?
2. Do you consistently find yourself in a place where God expresses Himself more intimately?
3. What specific disobedience might be costing you intimacy with God?
