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Lesson 3 —OR— “The results of One man’s sin” Jonah 1:7-10
Jonah had fled from God and sought to go against what God would have him to do. He sunk into such depths of sin and in a backslidden condition that he grew in apathy and carelessness. Jonah was aware of the dangers that lie in store for those of Nineveh and yet he rejected to do his duty unto God. Now the lives of all who were aboard this vessel had come into danger because of one man’s sin. In this we do see how we are all connected together. That sin in one life does affect the lives of others. We see that “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” Rom.14:7. In that Jonah lived, yet he lived with sin in his life it affected the shipmates for the tempest of the Lord had come upon them for Jonah’s sake. In that Jonah had sin in his life, it affected Nineveh because his sin was that he rejected to go to Nineveh and Nineveh was in need of hearing repentance preached. And yet, many today; a great deal of True Baptist have done the same thing as Jonah. God has sent men, women, boys and girls into their lives; maybe he has sent some into your life and you neglected to tell them of Jesus Christ. Why? Are you ashamed of your Savior? Are you afraid that you will lose them as an acquaintance, as a friend? Better that you had focused on your service to God. How do you know they’ll reject what you have to say? You do not. Perhaps you will be the vessel God has chosen to use to bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Vv.7—“Come and let us cast lots”—The God that Jonah vainly sought to flee from was on his heels. The tempest had not been abated and so the mariners sought to cast lots to see for whose cause the storm had come upon them. The sailors had done all they could think of to stay the storm (they prayed to their gods, lighted the ship) and yet it raged on. They then sought to cast lots to see by whom this terrible wrath of God had come upon them. The Casting of Lots—here it has to do with that a thing might be revealed, or decided. They believed the trouble would be shown to them in this way. An example of lot casting would be, that they put everyone’s name into a hat and then drew out the name; who’s ever name was drawn was the one who had sinned and had caused the great tempest to be upon them. We’ve also heard of “he/she drew the short-straw.” Some folks say “Well, we ought to cast lots to find things out.” We do not need to for we have He who is better than the lots; we have the Holy Spirit of God who reveals unto us. We are also aware with how the scriptures teach that Matthias was chosen by way of lot. Acts.1:26—Some believe they put each one’s name into a pot and the first one that came out after it was shaken up was Matthias. I believe that each who voted did vote or cast their lot for either Matthias or Joseph (Barsabas). Just as we do here, each one who votes does vote or cast a lot. But I want you to note what was stated concerning this before: Acts.1:24—“And they prayed, and said, ‘Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.” They prayed for God’s will to be made known and the Lord revealed it in their hearts as to whom to cast their lot for. That’s why we pray about things. In our business meeting [as this is often referred to as the church’s first business meeting], we do not always immediately make a motion and second about something, but rather we pray about it and seek the leadership of the Lord.
“and the lot fell upon Jonah”—He was taken by lot, but not by virtue of lots; especially of the lots of heathen men, but by the will of Him who guided the uncertain lots (Prov.16:33; 18:18). It was not luck that did bring Jonah’s ‘name out of the hat’; or however, the lot did fall upon him. It was by the Sovereign hand of God. A song I’ve sang:
There is an unseen hand to me, That leads thru ways I cannot see; While going thru this world of woe, This hand still leads me as I go.
We can also be sure that our sins will find us out (Numb.32:23). Jonah had sinned against God and the Lord did bring it out. It was as if God Himself was there in the ship and said unto Jonah ”Thou art the man.” (2Sam.12:1-7). All that Jonah had done to hide himself; and yet the Lord knew where he was. Jonah hid himself well. He went down to Joppa; he got on a ship to go to Tarshish; He went down into the ship’s hold. And yet there the Lord did find him and so too did his sin. Your sin will find you out. Your evil and wicked deeds will come to be known. Better that a man should confess and forsake his/her sins than to hide them (Prov.28:13).
Vv.8,9—Questions Asked; Questions Answered 1) “What is thine occupation?”—There is something very wrong and sad in a prophet of the Lord being asked: “What is thine occupation?” Like a soldier, the proof of His calling should be manifest. Men did not ask Elijah, Elisha, Paul, Moses—what occupation they were. They lived it—they were men called of God (Acts.4:13—that they had been disciples of Christ was evident by their speech, conversation or manner of life). 2) “Whence [where] comest thou?” 3) “What is thy country?” 4) “Of what people art thou?” They sought answers to these questions so that light might be shed on the ‘lot’ that had befallen them in their journey to Tarshish.
ANS—“I am an Hebrew” a people who had been know throughout the region that they had a God who was more powerful than any other gods round about them. That Jehovah dealt with his people when they disobeyed Him. ANS—Jonah’s occupation or calling was a prophet of God (2Kgs.14:25). Jonah went on to state: “I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.” However, this was not really so. For if he had truly feared the Lord as Jonah said he did, then he wouldn’t have disobeyed God in fleeing from his duty. Jonah was guilty of dereliction of duty. He neglected His calling of God. Vv.10—“The men were exceedingly afraid” No longer were they afraid of the storm, but afraid that one of Jehovah’s own was in their midst who had disobeyed the Lord. The very distinctness and extent to which God was manifesting His righteous anger toward ONE servant. What lessons there are to learn when one is chastened of the Lord (1Sam.3:11-13). May we learn from their rebellion against God. “Why hast thou done this?” Oh, what a rebuke! Listen to the question and note who said it. A heathen man said to a prophet of God: “Did your God provoke you to flee from Him? Did He deal so hardly and unkindly with you that you had no alternative but flight? Were you tired of your God? Had you found Him out—as no more worthy of your trust and obedience? Had you fulfilled your calling and duty? “Why hast thou done this?” Did He demand your self-denying labor and give you no strength to carry it out? Was the task He gave more than the grace He gave to do the work? Is this the character of your God? They knew he fled from God. He did tell them this. They wondered for what reason, and rightly so for the tempest was upon them all, yet it was of his own sin that it had come upon them (Jer.2:17). If we do sin against the Lord, for what reason do we have to do such? Our God has supplied us with everything we stand in need of. Let us not forsake Him, but rather stand on the very promises of God; “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” (2Cor.1:20). The Affects of one Man’s sin (or one act of disobedience): We have noted the consequences of one man’s sins (that is Jonah’s). Now let us note the consequences of one man’s disobedience/sin: Adam: 1) The command of God: Gen.2:16,17 a. Jonah was given a command: “Arise, and go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it;” Jonah 1:2 b. We’ve been commanded by God: Matt.28:18-20 2) The responsibility to God: Adam was created/made by God (Gen.1:26,27). a. Jonah was made a prophet/servant of/by God: 2Kgs.14:25 b. We [who have been saved by the grace of God] were made anew by God: Jn.3:6—“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 2Cor.5:17—“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:” 3) Rebellion against God: Adam disobeyed the Lord (Gen.3:6) a. Jonah rebelled: Jonah 1:3 b. We’ve rebelled: Jas.5:20—have you led souls to Christ. Perhaps you have been the vessel that God did use; but do not be satisfied with just one. Not one person here, myself included and above all: has lived a life wholly devoted unto God at all times. We’ve rebelled as individuals and as a people. But we have the desire to serve Him and God will give us the grace to do such. 4) Effects of Rebellion is death: Rom.5:12-14—result of Adam’s single act of disobedience. Rom.6:23. a. Jonah’s rebellion: Jonah 1:4,5—great tempest and fear. It was all-needless to be done. b. Our Rebellion:Rev.2:5—chastisement from the Lord; The threatening of removal of our candlestick; we would cease to be a church of the Lord. 5) What should or did Adam do (or God) do? Jesus had to be sent to pay the wrath of God (Rom.6:23/1Cor.15:45). a. Jonah’s repentance: Jonah 2:1,7,8,9 b. What we should do: 1Jn.2:1,2 [individuals and a church—don’t sin]; if we do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ and we come to God through Him with repentance toward God and faith in Christ. As a church, if we do sin we need to repent, save our candlestick be removed. So much was on that one act of disobedience and sin of Jonah. So much transpires on us being disobedient to God as well. No wonder the only things required of us, of stewards is that we be faithful.
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