"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 2 April 2013, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lords."
Today's Blog Title: "Jonah Flees From God"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Jonah 1:1-17
Today's Blog Key Verse: Jonah 1:12 "And he said to them, "pick me up and throw me into the sea, then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me."
"Jonah, the son of Amittai," nothing further is known of the prophet's identity except the reference made to him in 2nd Kings 14:25. "Nineveh" which was the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire, was east of Israel and located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River. "Tarshish" was situated westward of the Mediterranean Sea. "Joppa" which was later known as Jaffa, is located just south of modern day Tel Aviv.
The name "Tarshish" means "to smelt," and which the city was associated with metal trade. The furthest known metal producing in the 8th century B.C. was Tartessus, in Spain. Most believe this port was Jonah's destination. The identification is not vital, however. What is key is that metal producing areas along the Mediterranean were in the opposite direction of Nineveh.
In verses 6-16, Jonah even when out of fellowship with God had an evangelistic impact on the sailors. His admission that he was the reason why God brought the great storm; his demand the sailors throw him overboard; the sudden stilling of the storm as soon as Jonah left the ship; all these witnessed to God's greatest and led the crew to greatly fear "the Lord" and to make "vows to Him."
It's a mistake to assume just because God is using someone in other's lives that, that person must be godly. The Lord uses imperfect agents and even some who are actively disobeying Him at the very time they serve as channels of grace! Out of fellowship, Jonah was God's agent to bring knowledge of God to a boatload of sinners. Later we will see that when Jonah was in fellowship of God, he became God's agent of deliverance for a great city.
There are several "miracles" in the passage, not just one. God's control of the sea by bringing a great storm, shows He controls nature. When lots were cast to determine who had offended God and had brought down the unusual storm, Jonah was chosen. When Jonah was thrown overboard the storm stopped. Why then be surprised when the text tells us God "provided" a "great fish" to swallow Jonah, or that he was preserved alive in its belly? Either God is fully capable of controlling all events in this world, or He is not. It is not the miracles of Scripture that are questionable, but the critics limited view of God.
We as Christians need to live in fellowship with God, and be clear channels through which His grace can flow unimpeded.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."
Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will be in Complete, and Total Control!!!
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Jonah Flees From God"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: Jonah 1:1-17
Today's Blog Key Verse: Jonah 1:12 "And he said to them, "pick me up and throw me into the sea, then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me."
"Jonah, the son of Amittai," nothing further is known of the prophet's identity except the reference made to him in 2nd Kings 14:25. "Nineveh" which was the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire, was east of Israel and located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River. "Tarshish" was situated westward of the Mediterranean Sea. "Joppa" which was later known as Jaffa, is located just south of modern day Tel Aviv.
The name "Tarshish" means "to smelt," and which the city was associated with metal trade. The furthest known metal producing in the 8th century B.C. was Tartessus, in Spain. Most believe this port was Jonah's destination. The identification is not vital, however. What is key is that metal producing areas along the Mediterranean were in the opposite direction of Nineveh.
In verses 6-16, Jonah even when out of fellowship with God had an evangelistic impact on the sailors. His admission that he was the reason why God brought the great storm; his demand the sailors throw him overboard; the sudden stilling of the storm as soon as Jonah left the ship; all these witnessed to God's greatest and led the crew to greatly fear "the Lord" and to make "vows to Him."
It's a mistake to assume just because God is using someone in other's lives that, that person must be godly. The Lord uses imperfect agents and even some who are actively disobeying Him at the very time they serve as channels of grace! Out of fellowship, Jonah was God's agent to bring knowledge of God to a boatload of sinners. Later we will see that when Jonah was in fellowship of God, he became God's agent of deliverance for a great city.
There are several "miracles" in the passage, not just one. God's control of the sea by bringing a great storm, shows He controls nature. When lots were cast to determine who had offended God and had brought down the unusual storm, Jonah was chosen. When Jonah was thrown overboard the storm stopped. Why then be surprised when the text tells us God "provided" a "great fish" to swallow Jonah, or that he was preserved alive in its belly? Either God is fully capable of controlling all events in this world, or He is not. It is not the miracles of Scripture that are questionable, but the critics limited view of God.
We as Christians need to live in fellowship with God, and be clear channels through which His grace can flow unimpeded.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. ALWAYS remember, that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life, and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."
Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will be in Complete, and Total Control!!!
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
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