What have you done! (Jonah 1:7-12)

Welcome to the minutes of the fourth meeting. Lord, bless every reader with the wonderful light that leads us. Cause our spirits to drink of the river of life. Last time we considered the verses in Jonah 1:7-12, looking for guidance from the Spirit in the 'inquisition' of Jonah.

My personal thinking when I considered these verses was about how the word of God came forth from Jonah, and pierced the hearts of the sailors. Even though they knew the perilous situation, when the source was revealed as God, even the Lord of heaven and earth, they were exceedingly afraid. There was the natural fear of death before, but now the soul was in question!

However, I did not have the full measure of these verses, and was struggling about the context. The Lord is so faithful! It is in you all that each piece is placed, and when you give us your piece, the measure of life increases exponentially! Thank you for contributing! With the life from the body in this meeting, a provocative picture emerges in these verses, one full of insight.

"Arise o sleeper!" Yes, Jonah arose, but not to call upon his God. At least it is not recorded that he called. If you suddenly awoke, to mortal peril, with someone exhorting you to call upon the Lord, what would you do? I would fall on my knees crying out to God! But it appears Jonah awoke from a sleep and realized the hand of the Lord was upon him! He was bound over to the will of God. Perhaps Jonah's natural will was not at the end yet, his stubborn resolution standing firm. I believe this to be true, as later, in Jonah's poignant plea, his deep confession, there is evidence of complete release from the natural man.

The sailors cast lots, name in a hat sort of thing, and Jonah's name came forth. God can use whatever means necessary, even seemingly random acts, but no life came from the casting of lots in itself. Then the questioning. The sailors were still looking for the answers, looking for life. And Jonah replies simply and under the hand of God. He is a Hebrew, one of God's people. He knows God, respects God, and fears God. Can we say Jonah actually loves the Lord? In his innermost being we will find that later in this book. And here Jonah is, under the hand of the one true God, speaking forth the word. That word exposes the heart, penetrates into the recesses of the soul.

Now the sailors were "exceedingly afraid". Before they were afraid. Now it was palpable on the inside.

The presence of the Lord was here in the form of His hand, heavy upon Jonah. The sailors ask "What have you done!", with incredulity and amazement. But can the natural man understand what Jonah did? His inner Jacob, his own piece of Adam, rose up to action, fleeing from the presence of the Lord. Why? Because the natural man is condemned to death, and can not hide from that reality in the presence of the Lord. Praise God that in Christ our natural man has been crucified. God was arranging the same for Jonah.

The sailors ask Jonah what to do, even ask what to do to Jonah. How did they know that God wanted them to offer Jonah up? Ponderous question, but in that, I can see additional evidence of God directing the events. Jonah responds with more prophetic words: "Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you." Yes, he was moving in the Spirit. He is simply saying, "Make me a sacrifice, and this death sentence will pass on to me only."

A man, fleeing from God. Even one who so many commentators record as the perfect example of disobedience in the bible. Who so many look at with natural eyes in regards to obedience. How in his transgression is he able to prophesy? The gift can operate irregardless of the man. I know like Jonah, there are times in my life when I can not control my natural response. The Lord can craft a situation beyond my ability, even for the purpose of exposing my natural man, and putting it to death experientially.

God has done so to Jonah. Jonah never rejected God, he fled from His presence. He reacted to the word. Jonah loves the Lord, and even His people. But God stretched Jonah past his natural ability. Yet even in this time of stretching, the gift operated. The word came forth out of Jonah's mouth.

If Jonah were rational, even a extraordinary man willing to die, he would simply jump overboard. Why force the sin of murder upon someone else? However, I can imagine that a normal man would argue and deny, pleading for his own life. But here Jonah is shackled to the will of God. Instructing the sailors to make him a sacrifice. Embracing the judgement upon himself, becoming the object of the death sentence instead of all the sailors.

Oh, he may have fled from the presence of God, but Jonah is fully operating under the hand of God now! He proclaims the reality of the coming Messiah, even the ministry of the perfect sacrifice. And walks in that prophesy.

Thank you Jesus, for proclaiming the living word, and ministering to us once for all, with glory beyond telling. You are so wonderful, let all creation exclaim it! You let yourself be bound over, to sentence and execution, though completely innocent! I have not enough tears to thank You, even for all eternity. Thank you for inhabiting the saints, revealing Yourself in them and through them.

For this meeting, here is the current agenda:

Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Ask the Lord to break down the walls that shield us from one another, those preferences, tastes, and lifestyles that prevent the building of the body. Thank Him for pulling us into the body, building us together.

Open questions:
From last time, still no word on the 'sides of the ship'.

Current topic:
Prayerfully read Jonah 1:13-16, the section of sacrifice. Do we see prophetic and pastoral parallels in the rowing of the boat? There is so much here, but let us ask the Spirit to speak to our group life for right now.

Conclusion:
May all of us find the source of life each day this week. May peace, and His life giving presence be your portion.