“But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.”

Jonah 1:3

Jonah flees from ‘the presence of the Lord’ (vv. 3, 10, NRSV)—but it is unthinkable that this prophet, who professes faith in the all-powerful Creator (v. 9), would have imagined he could escape from God’s presence! Desmond Alexander suggests that ‘by fleeing from the Lord’s presence Jonah announces emphatically his unwillingness to serve God.’ Jonah isn’t running from God’s presence so much as refusing to serve his purposes. Should we conclude that Jonah was prepared to serve God’s purposes only so long as this furthered his own? A great wind is ‘hurled’ upon the sea, cargo is ‘hurled’ overboard, Jonah is ‘hurled’ into the sea (vv. 4, 5, 15, ESV). All this hurling and raging is like a wrestling match between God and Jonah! Unlike Jacob, who wrestled with God because he yearned for God’s blessing, Jonah wrestles with God’s desire to bless Israel’s enemies.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord God, thank you that when I am tempted to turn from your will, you remain faithful; you love and care for me. Help me to be more faithful, more loving, caring more for those things that concern you.

(from Encounter with God)