6 insights for those who run from God

 Read Jonah 1.

Nineveh was the capital city of the Assyrian Empire.  But as great as their city was, so was their evil.  The Assyrians became a growing threat to the northern kingdom of Israel and God wanted to eventually use them to discipline His people.  Jonah rightly feared the Assyrians and, apparently, also knew of God's plan (see 4:2).  Jonah's preference would have been for God to destroy Nineveh.

When the LORD said, "Go!" Jonah said, "No!"  Instead of trekking 500 miles northeast to his assignment, the prophet booked passage on a ship to Spain in the opposite direction.  Alton Fannin wrote an insightful outline for this chapter explaining what happens when a person tries to run from God (Proclaim, 1987).  I have embellished it somewhat here.

1. When a person runs from God, he has heard from God. (vv.1-2)
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

2. When a person runs from God, he believes he can escape from God. (v.3)
"Where shall I go from your Spirit?  Or where shall I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, you are there!  If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!" (Psalm 139:7-8)

3. When a person runs from God, everyone pays for it. (vv.3-5)
"For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself." (Romans 14:7)

4. When a person runs from God, he sleeps while others perish. (v.5)
"Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning.  For some have no knowledge of God.  I say this to your shame." (1 Corinthians 15:34)

5. When a person runs from God, he confuses unbelievers. (vv.6-9)
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23)

6. When a person runs from God, he loses respect from both sides. (vv.10-16)
"And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.'  And he went out and wept bitterly." (Luke 22:61-62)

Instead of running from God, He wants us to...
"Come" (Matthew 11:28-30) and then
"Go" (Matthew 28:19-20)