JONAH: Jonah’s story is not so much about a big fish, but about the surprising mercy of God. We are used to hearing in the New Testament about the generosity of Jesus, his willingness to reach out to the outsiders of society, the forgiveness he offers even to those bent on getting rid of him. But in the Old Testament? We have been following the story of Israel through some of the Old Testament key players, like Abraham and Joseph and Moses with his brother Aaron, David and the prophet Elijah, all Jews, all bent on keeping the people of Israel connected to God with little or no attention to those on the outside of the circle. God did bless the non-Jewish widow through Elijah. But Jonah’s story pushes the limits—Israel’s self -understanding as the favored child of God is stretched. God’s mercy is not reserved for them alone. It is much bigger than they thought.
Using humor and exaggeration, this long parable type of a story is set in a historical setting with honest to goodness enemies of Israel, the Assyrians, whose capital city was Nineveh. Assyrian troops were known to savagely slaughter the Hebrews, collecting their heads for bonus pay. It’s no wonder Jonah doesn’t want the job. It might be like asking a gang member here in Baltimore to approach members of a rival gang with the news that they were going to be obliterated. A sure way to get shot. Jonah tries to get as far away as possible. He gets a ticket on a ship traveling some 2500 miles to the west to Tarshish, a city on the southern coast of Spain!
Even a runaway prophet has an impact on the people around him. Continue reading “Running from God Nov. 6, 2016” →
Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church 