(a) Describe the experience of Jonah as he fled from the presence of God to Tarshish. (b) State two lessons that could be learnt from his flight

Answer Details

(a) Jonah's experience as he fled from the presence of God to Tarshish (Jonah 1)

The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish, in the opposite direction, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, found a ship going to Tarshish, paid the fare, and boarded it to escape his mission.

The LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest, so that the ship threatened to break up. The mariners were afraid and each cried to his own god, and they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and was fast asleep. The captain came and rebuked him, "What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call upon your god!"

The sailors cast lots to find out who was responsible for the calamity, and the lot fell on Jonah. On questioning him, he confessed, "I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land," and admitted he was fleeing from the LORD. The men were terrified. As the storm grew worse, Jonah told them, "Take me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you; for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you." The men first tried to row back to land but could not. Finally, after praying to the LORD not to hold innocent blood against them, they threw Jonah into the sea, and it ceased raging. The men feared the LORD greatly and offered sacrifice. And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

(b) Two lessons from Jonah's flight

1. No one can escape or hide from the presence of God. God is everywhere; Jonah's attempt to run from his mission was futile because God pursued him even on the sea.
2. Disobedience to God brings trouble, not only on the disobedient person but on others around him. Jonah's flight endangered the lives of the innocent sailors; obedience to God's call is therefore the wiser and safer path.