What other biblical figures initially resisted God's call, and what can we learn? Jonah 1:3—A Prophet on the Run “But Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.” You’re Not Alone, Jonah: Reluctant Servants through Scripture • Moses – Exodus 3–4 • “Who am I…?” (Exodus 3:11) • “What if they will not believe me…?” (Exodus 4:1) • “I am slow of speech…” (Exodus 4:10) • “Please, Lord, send someone else.” (Exodus 4:13) • Gideon – Judges 6:12-15 • “My clan is the weakest… I am the youngest.” (v. 15) • Jeremiah – Jeremiah 1:6 • “Ah, Lord GOD, I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” • Barak – Judges 4:8-9 • “I will not go unless you go with me.” • Peter – Acts 10:14 • “No, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” • Ananias – Acts 9:13-14 • “Lord, I have heard from many about this man and how much harm he has done…” Where the Hesitation Comes From • Feelings of inadequacy (Moses, Jeremiah) • Fear of danger or failure (Gideon, Barak) • Prejudice or preconceived notions (Jonah toward Nineveh, Peter toward Gentiles) • Past reputation of the one God is sending us to (Ananias and Saul) How God Meets the Resistant Heart • Patient reassurance—“I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12; Jeremiah 1:8) • Visible signs—staff to serpent, leprous hand, fleece soaked or dry • Providential encouragement—Deborah goes with Barak; the angel of the LORD sits under Gideon’s oak • Firm but loving discipline—storm and fish for Jonah, three-time vision for Peter • Clear demonstration of sovereignty—Saul’s blinding light, Gideon’s trimmed-down army Lessons We Can Carry Forward • God’s call is rooted in His authority, not our comfort. • Obedience releases God’s power; reluctance never nullifies His plan, it only delays our joy. • What looks like a limitation becomes a platform for Him to show His sufficiency. • Personal biases crumble when confronted with God’s heart for all people. • The same persistent grace that chased Jonah also pursues us—inviting, correcting, and equipping until we step into His purpose. |
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