Sermon – Jonah 2 – God Sends A Storm

  • Last week, we began our look at Jonah.  He was commanded to take God’s word of judgment to the great city of Nineveh, but he refused.  Instead of obeying God and going to Nineveh, he bought passage on a boat to go to Tarshish clear across the Mediterranean Sea – in the opposite direction.

  • Have you ever done that?  Have you ever been called by God to do something or go somewhere, but you just outright refused?  Instead of obeying God, you ran off to your own version of Tarshish.

  • Remember what James 4:17 (NLT) says, “It is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”

  • Jonah paid for his disobedience – he bought passage to Tarshish, so he was out money there because he never made it.  He also ends up in the belly of a big fish; and he has to come to terms with his hatred of those from Nineveh and how he thinks God should do things.

  • Any form of disobedience, regardless of our motives, is wrong and is still subject to God’s will and law.  Remember, you reap what you sow.  Sin is costly; and while the terms or fine details aren’t given up front … the end result is death. 

  • We would all be better off if we would just do things God’s way in the first place.  So much hassle and heartache could be avoided.  If you are running from God, you’ll find excuses to keep going and things will sound like good options, but you’ll end up regretting it; and paying for it.

  • So, what could Jonah have avoided had he just obeyed God?
  • Jonah 1:4-16 (NLT) … (4) But the LORD hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart.  (5) Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship.  But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold.  (6) So the captain went down after him.  “How can you sleep at a time like this?”  he shouted.  “Get up and pray to your god!  Maybe he will pay attention to us and spare our lives.”  (7) Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm.  When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit.  (8) “Why has this awful storm come down on us?”  they demanded.  “Who are you?  What is your line of work?  What country are you from?  What is your nationality?”  (9) Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”  (10) The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the LORD.  “Oh, why did you do it?”  they groaned.  (11) And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?”  (12) “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again.  I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.”  (13) Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land.  But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it.  (14) Then they cried out to the LORD, Jonah’s God.  “O LORD,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin.  And don’t hold us responsible for his death.  O LORD, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.”  (15) Then the sailors picked up Jonah and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once!  (16) The sailors were awestruck by the LORD’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.
  • Jonah thought he could run from God, but we know that isn’t truly possible.  We might ignore Him or disobey Him; but one day will stand before Him.  He knows what we do and our motives.

  • Jonah thought he was going to get away.  He made it to Joppa; bought passage; blended in with the crew; and found a spot on the ship comfortable enough to fall sound asleep … all without issue.

  • But the story doesn’t end there.  Jonah doesn’t get away.  God doesn’t forget about Him.  He doesn’t allow him to run without trying to get his attention.  That is how much God loved Jonah and that is how much He loves us.

  • God mercifully sent a storm to get Jonah’s attention; and He may send storms to your life as well.

  • These storms could be supernatural; or even natural consequences from our disobedience.  And what do we know about storms?  People don’t through them alone.   

  • With some storms, others see them and experience them before the one that caused them is aware or owns up to it.  Sadly, people are blind to the consequences of their actions or want to play the victim.  Sin affects those around us … (and boy, couldn’t we give examples?)

  • When this storm blows up, Jonah is asleep below deck and the crew is panicking – they are running around, praying to their pagan gods, and throwing cargo overboard.  When people experience a “major stressor” – storm – pain – crisis – they and their priorities tend to change.

  • The crew cast lots … an ancient method of trying to learn the truth or figure out what to do by asking the divine … and it appears to have worked.  They wanted to know who was to blame for the storm and the lot fell upon Jonah.  He thought was he going to get away, but his sin found him out.

  • The same can be said for anyone living a sinful life.  You might have people fooled, but eventually the truth will come out.  And obviously, you can’t hide it from God who is the ultimate judge. 

  • The crew wanted to know more about Jonah – where he was from – what people group he belonged to – what he did for a living … remember, nations and people groups and professions all had their own gods, so maybe they could find out which one to pray to or offer a sacrifice to or promise to serve if the storm would just go away.

  • Did Jonah have a good witness here?  “I’m Jonah, from Israel, a Jew/Hebrew, and I’m a prophet.  This storm is here because I’m refusing to obey God.” 

  • Just the same, we won’t have a good witness if we claim God, but yet refuse to obey Him.  We make a mockery of the faith and a lost world won’t take us seriously.

  • We can’t preach to the world if we ignore our own teaching.  We can’t tell the world they need to come to church, when we miss services.  We can’t tell the world to read and pray, when we won’t take the time to do it.  We can’t tell the world to contribute financially when we won’t put anything in the offering plate.  We can’t tell the world to repent, when we won’t leave our sinful lives.

  • Are people quick to own up to their mistakes or make reconciliation or pay reparations? … NO

  • Did Jonah own up to what he did, repent, and make things right? … NO

  • He told them that the storm would only cease if they threw him overboard.  Instead of repenting and making amends with God … Jonah is willing to die instead of going to Nineveh … WOW!

  • How many people are like that today?  They would rather die and go to Hell, then do things God’s way and serve Him and have Him be #1 in their lives? 

  • The crew was reluctant to cast Jonah into the sea; and they tried hard to get back to land, but they weren’t able to.  They had more compassion on him, than Jonah had on the people of Nineveh.

  • Eventually, however, they had to throw Jonah overboard, but prayed to the LORD God not to hold them responsible for his death.  Once Jonah was overboard, the storm stopped, and the crew was amazed, awestruck at God’s power and they offered Him a sacrifice and vowed to serve Him. 

  • Jonah a man who came from Israel and was a prophet should have been the one to know the power of God and be in awe of Him and truly worship Him … not a group of pagans, right?  Maybe Jonah was just going through the motions and lost his reverential fear.  Does that sound familiar?

  • If there are storms in your life, then why; and how do you view them?
    • Have you done something or are you living a certain way and need to repent?
    • Is someone close to you living a dangerous / harmful / sinful life and they need to repent?
    • Do you need to change or are you there to help someone else?
    • Do you complain or rejoice at storms … do you them as punishment or correction?
    • Are they there to strengthen your faith or purify you?
    • Do you side more with Scripture/Church or the world and false propets/congregations?

  • Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT) … For the word of God is alive and powerful.  It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.  It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God.  Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the One to whom we are accountable.

  • As humans, we have weaknesses, doubts, and are tempted to sin … but we shouldn’t use that as an excuse … “I’m only human” … we should see our faults and run to God, not from Him, and rely on His power and strength to overcome.  We have all sinned – still may – but we shouldn’t try to run from God or cover things up … again, don’t run from God, but rather run to Him for forgiveness.

  • Jonah tried to flee from God’s presence – from the Most Holy Place – but after Jesus died He entered the Most Holy Place so we could have access to God … and Jesus intercedes on our behalf – and is doing that right now …

  • Again, do not flee from God – run to Him … flee this wicked world, sin that wants to slave, and yes, flee the wrath and judgment to come.  Jesus paved the way – you just have to follow Him and allow Him to lead … through ups and downs, good times and bad, and yes, even through storms.