Jonah: An Easy Way Out?
by Patty Wysong

Bible Passage to read: Jonah 1:11-2:10

So while that super storm was going on, where was Jonah?
Sleeping!

Have you ever tried sleeping in a ship that's being tossed around by a gigantic storm? It's tough to do! Jonah was probably sleeping because he was depressed. He was hoping that if he slept long enough his problem would go away. Have you ever done that? Does it work? Well, it didn't for Jonah.

Those sailors were sooooo upset and they wanted to know what to do since the storm was his fault. So what did Jonah tell them? "Throw me overboard!" I wonder if Jonah was smirking when he said that?

Now, do you think Jonah was willing to go to Ninevah yet? Nope. Not at all. If he was, I think he would've asked God's forgiveness. But not our man, Jonah. He decided he'd rather drown than obey God and go to Ninevah.

I think, just maybe, Jonah took the easy way out. He didn't want to obey, so he said 'throw me overboard!' The easy way out is usually not the best way to go. And Jonah learned that lesson over the next three days that he spent in his traveling hotel.

Does time pass quickly when your having fun? How about when you're not having fun? It. Just. Seems. to. Crawl. by. When. You're. Not. Having. Fun. Have you ever noticed that? I sure have! And I bet those three days in the belly of that whale lasted just about forever, especially since he didn't know it was only going to be three days! (Only three days?)

Finally, Jonah figures things out while he's down there in the Belly Room of his swanky hotel. He starts praying and in his prayer we can see just how scared and miserable he was. Jonah accepts how great God is and asked for God's help. Finally.

The last verse of Jonah 2 says "Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land." Eeeeeeew! Jonah was puked out! Do you think he smelled good? What about his clothes? What a fashion statement he must have made!

So, was the whale the only one on the good end of that storm?
I don't think so. Check out Jonah 1:15 & 16. "Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to Him." Wow! All those sailors saw just how great and powerful God is and it changed their lives. That's what it's all aboutpeople giving their lives to God and living for Him.

Patty Wysong is a Christian wife and homeschool mom of 5 who is passionate about wrapping lessons in pretty packages that will point others to God.

Blog:  http://pattywysong.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com







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