Jonah and the Whale: Lesson One

When God speaks, He expects an answer.

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and cry against it, because their wickedness had come up before Him.

Jonah 1:1-2 (KJV): Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

Jonah got up, but he went the other way. He headed for Tarshish to flee from the presence of the LORD.

Jonah 1:3 (KJV): But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

Nobody can get away from the presence of God. There is no place to go.

Psalms 139:7 (KJV): Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

Knowing what God wants and not doing it is sin.

James 4:17 (KJV): Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Scripture References: Jonah 1:1-2 Jonah 1:3 Psalms 139:7 James 4:17