Jonah take One

 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, "Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me."  But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid his fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.  Jonah 1:1-3

If ever there was a story where creation was a vital and vibrant character, it is the book of Jonah.  And the truth is that there are some stories where a single scene is forever etched in memory.

Think of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader dueling it out when Vader says, “I am your father.”

Or Rhett Bulter, “Frankly my dear I don’t give a damn,” which I think we all have muttered under our breath at a meeting.

Or Dorothy landing in Oz saying, “Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore,” which still gives me permission to talk to my dog.

So, if I were to ask you, what is the first word that comes into your mind when you hear the name Jonah, you would say…

Whale. 

Never mind that in the book of Jonah the original Hebrew was dag gadol, which really means, big fish.  And let’s not start the debate over whether a whale is really a mammal or a fish?  Never mind that the words big fish appear twice, while God is named fourteen times, the Lord is named 21 times, and even sackcloth gets more mentions at three references. Suffice it to say, there is a direct correlation in our minds that Jonah is to whale as Wes is to writing long blog posts.  And because we so associate the story of Jonah with the fish and just want to get to the good part of this would-be, run away prophet getting gulped by a grouper, we might miss some of the subtle, sly sarcasm that is woven into the opening words above.

We miss for example that Jonah being the son of Amittai, that word means to be faithful.  Jonah was supposed to be the son of faithfulness.  Okay, I get it that isn’t hilarious, laugh until you cry and your side aches kind of Whose on First act of Abbot and Casttello bit, but it is at least a slight chuckle.  Or what about Jonah racing, running in the exact opposite direction of where God sent him?  He heads toward Tarshish, which we know was a wealthy city of silver, gold, apes and peacocks.  Tarshish was to Jonah as Las Vegas is to us today.  Jonah hops on the first boat out of dodge, goes down in the belly of the boat, and promptly falls asleep, because frankly, running from God is exhausting.

So, while Mr. Rip Van Wilkle is soundly snoozing, when a storm starts tossing the boat like the opening scene of Gilligan’s Island.  Jonah, with drool coming out of the side of his mouth, is asleep while the sailors above are tossing and throwing prayers toward their gods and food, supplies, and probably peacocks being transported to Tarshish overboard.   Jonah is in full REM, deep sleep, while the crew are racing around like the disciples do when Jesus was asleep in a storm in the gospels, which maybe this is where the Gospel writers got the idea for that story line?  Again, I know, maybe this is not the funniest things ever, but it causes a smile to cross my face.  Finally, someone goes and wakes up sleeping beauty, tells him that his presence is being requested on deck.  If you read all of chapter one, you would hear the sailors pleading and praying for something or someone to make the storm stop.  Jonah, Mr. faithful, says in a monotone voice - like a teenager appeasing her parents who just asked, "How as school - “Fine, I am a Hebrew and worship the God who made heaven and earth.”  Worst. Testimony. Ever.  Jonah goes on saying, “Well, I could repent to God and go where God asked.  But I would you just rather throw me overboard.”  So, the sailors do.  The storm stops.  Stillness after the howling wind and waves crashing chaotically.  Suddenly the boat goes from being tossed about to and fro to sitting on the surface of the water calm as glass.  And the sailors convert.  They worship God.  The make sacrifices.  Jonah converts a boat-load of sailors without even trying, while if our church gets five new members I do a happy dance.

I ask you hold this story in your heart in these days.  Ask yourself:
~~ Is there someone or something I am running from right now?
~~ Where do I sense the traces of God's grace guiding me?
~~ Is there resistance of going to that place because those people might be there?

And may you find more than a trace of God's grace as this story sings to your life.

Blessings ~~