CRITICAL NOTES.]
Jonah 1:3. Tarshish] Tartessus in Spain; others, Carthage; probably Tarsus in Cilicia. Presence] Lit. from being in the presence, i.e. from standing in the presence of the Lord as His servant and minister (cf. Genesis 4:16; Deuteronomy 10:8). Joppa] Now Jaffa.
HOMILETICS
THE DISGRACEFUL FLIGHT.—Jonah 1:3
Jonah arose but to depart from duty. He might be influenced by fear, indolence, and unbelief. But the chief reason for his flight seems to be intense love for his own, and deep hatred to a heathen country. He was reluctant to offer mercy to Nineveh, and desired its destruction as an enemy. Whatever leads to prejudice blinds the mind, sours the temper, and degrades the man of God.
I. Flight from duty is not departure from God’s control. Jonah believed in the Divine omnipresence (Psalms 139:7; Psalms 139:12), did not cast off all regard for God, but sought to relieve himself of duty by quitting the land of light and religious ordinances. He did not expect to go where God was not, but where God would let him alone. His creed was better than his conduct. He left the field of action for the place of retirement. Many are of Jonah’s temper, try his experiment, and feel the presence of God too painful for them. A scholar leaves the Sabbath school to avoid the contact of truth with conscience. A young man brought up under religious influence quits home and native country. An ungodly man feels miserable, shuns godly company, and stifles impressions by fleeing into business, worldly society, and amusements. The believer knows his duty, but will not do it. Such efforts often succeed in spite of the restraints of providence and the voice of conscience. But fear gets hold of men at length, God meets them in the way, and it is impossible to escape. “Lo, they that be far from thee shall perish.”
II. Favourable circumstances in departing from God do not always lead to a successful issue. Circumstances favoured Jonah’s design, and gave him an opportunity of escape. “He found a ship going to Tarshish.” The vessel quickly sailed. Jonah thought he was leaving his trouble by leaving his native shore, but vain hope (Amos 9:2-4; Isaiah 2:19-22; Jeremiah 16:16-21). “The ready way is not always the right way,” says an old author. The greatest hurry the least speed in a path of disobedience. The worst plans may prosper for a time, but such prosperity ends in storms and darkness. Talk not of Providence in an evil course—say not when tempted that you are tempted of God. God might miraculously interfere with men’s conduct, but this would change the government of the world, render our probation useless, and afford no opportunity for human action and Divine justice. If he thwart the ways of selfish men, you hear no more of Providence. Departure from God is departure from his love and protection—from Divine dignity and unbounded bliss. Follow the directions of the word, and you will enjoy the leadings of Providence. “The Lord meeteth him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness.”
III. Departure from God is more expensive than obedience to God. Jonah paid the fare, like many who scruple not to spend their money on selfish projects, but withhold from the cause of God. Sin is always expensive, and draws upon our purse and time. Sinners pay their fare,
1. In bitter experience. There is peace in pleasing God, but conscious opposition to him brings an uneasy mind. Jonah could not stay at home. Everything reminded him of God and duty, and such thoughts are painful. Men seek a new country, try fresh experiments, to drown the warnings of conscience, but do not succeed.
2. In moral loss. The loss of Divine favour and a servant’s dignity. The Sabbath-breaker, the pleasure-seeker, and the drunkard, pay their fare. Blasted prospects, shattered constitutions, and ruined families indicate the awful price of sin. The pleasures of sin are dearly bought, never last, and always bring disappointment.
HOMILETIC HINTS AND OUTLINES
Jonah’s disobedience.
1. It was life into his own hands.
2. It was foolish; for he took the difficulties of wilful. He deliberately paid his money.
3. It was ungrateful; for he refused the honour of the commission.
4. It was continuous.
5. It was criminal [Adapted from Exell].
There is in the conduct of Jonah a twofold sin,—disobedience to God and flight from God. What God appoints thee to do, do without gainsaying. He who gives the burden, gives the shoulders to bear it. He who flees increases the burden and commits folly [Lange].
Take the task he gives you gladly,
Let his work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when he calleth,
“Here am I, send me, send me!”
Step by step the disobedient prophet takes in consummation of his purpose, and each following fast on the back of its predecessor, without repentance and, as it would almost seem, without reflection.
(1) He “rose up to flee.”
(2) He “went to Joppa.”
(3) He “found a ship.”
(4) He “paid the fare.”
(5) He “went down into it.” The words are like relentless, consecutive, fast-falling blows, under which his whole character as an obedient man of God is beaten to death and trampled under-foot of Satan [Hugh Martin].
Man’s own wisdom is a worthless guide. He is often more diligent in working his ruin than in seeking his salvation.
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 1
Jonah 1:3. To leave the presence of God is to “go down;” and the history of many a day might, in the evening, be written too faithfully in the sad record, “I have been going down.” Down from communion, from a conscious faith, from quietness, and firm, steady obedience. Down into strife without victory, into toil without fruit; into mere money-making, mere pleasure-seeking, mere time-wasting. The success and glory of true life can only be found in keeping the upward road—in hearing and following the voice which perpetually says, “Come up hither” [Raleigh]!