The Surprising Hero of Jonah
At first glance, the story of Jonah seems like a simple tale of obedience and disobedience. God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh, but he runs away instead. Then, after a dramatic encounter with a storm and a fish, Jonah finally obeys and goes to Nineveh, where he experiences surprising success. But is that really the point of the story?
A Problematic Interpretation
If we interpret the story of Jonah as simply a moral lesson about obedience, we’re left with some troubling questions. Why does Jonah still struggle with anger and disobedience even after his success in Nineveh? And what’s the point of chapter 4, which seems to undermine the whole narrative of Jonah’s heroism?
A Deeper Look
When we dig deeper into the story, we discover that it’s not really about what Jonah is doing for God, but what God is doing for Jonah. The book of Jonah is about the disturbing possibility that, even as Christians, we can spend our lives avoiding the God we claim to serve. We may love Christ, but still struggle with fear, anxiety, and disappointment.
A Mirror Held Up
Jonah’s story holds up a mirror to our own struggles and weaknesses as Christians. By confessing his own failures, Jonah shows us that we’re not alone in our struggles. And more importantly, he points us to the grace of God, which is stronger than all our fears and anxieties.
The Real Hero
The real hero of the story is not Jonah, but God. Throughout the book, we catch glimpses of God’s extraordinary patience with weak people like Jonah, his relentless pursuit of lost people like the Ninevites, and the ultimate victory of his love.
A Story of Redemption
The story of Jonah is ultimately a story of redemption. It’s a reminder that, no matter how flawed or weak we may be, God is always working to redeem us and use us for his purposes. As we read the book of Jonah, let’s look beyond the surface level and discover the deeper truth of God’s love and redemption.
About the Author
Colin S. Smith is the senior pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Arlington Heights, IL, and the author of The 10 Greatest Struggles of Your Life. He can be heard on his Unlocking the Bible broadcast with Moody radio.
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