“The People Of Nineveh Believed God” -- 2/19/25

 “The People Of Nineveh Believed God” -- 2/19/25

 

    When Jonah finally traveled to Nineveh, he began preaching “the preaching I bid thee” (Jonah 3:2). What struck me was the transformative power of God’s word. After Jonah had preached for a day (v. 4), the Bible says that the people “believed God” (v. 5)! It is not that they believed Jonah, but believed God and then the people changed. We see a similar response by the people of Sychar when they met Jesus and heard Him preach. They told the woman who first spoke to Jesus, “Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world” (Jn. 4:41-42).

     While preaching God’s word demands a person to speak the truth, the power of the gospel is not in the men speaking. I think we forget this fact at times. Men tend to think that if we get the “right” speaker with the “right voice” who can charm the people, the world will beat a path to our door. Friend, we must remember that the power to convert people is not in man. The power is in the word (Rom. 1:16; I Cor. 1:18-21)! This fact is made clear in Jonah 3. Remember, Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh and preach. He was satisfied to let these people die in their sins! More will be seen in Jonah 4, but it is evident that Jonah knew of God’s patience, love, and forgiveness and did not want the Ninevites to experience that (Jonah 4:1-2)! Yet, they experienced it when Jonah faithfully preached the word (Jonah 3:6-10). When Jonah preached God’s word, the people “believed God”!

     It is no different today. The power to convert and save is found in the word! It is not in man’s words. We see this emphasized by the apostle Paul when he told the Corinthians, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (I Cor. 2:2-5). This reiterates the power of God’s word, providing reassurance and confidence in our faith.

     Friends, what are we listening to? Do we demand sound doctrine be preached (Titus 2:1, 7-8), or are we fascinated by the “enticing words” of men? These “enticing words” appeal to our desires rather than our need for repentance. Look around and observe others closely. While most would deny they want the “enticing words” or, as was said in Romans 16:17, “good words and fair speeches,” their actions say something different. Remember, behavior is a language, just as our speech is a language! What are you declaring in your actions?

     Looking back at the Ninevites, we see their behavior reflected that they believed God. It is seen in the repentance of the city (Jonah 3:6-10). What are you declaring in your actions? Do you declare to the world that you believe God?

– Jarrod M. Jacobs

“Salvation Is Of The Lord” – 2/17/25

 “Salvation Is Of The Lord”  – 2/17/25

    Jonah 2:9 records the phrase above. Though the theme of salvation is seen throughout Scripture, this is the only time we read this exact phrase in the Bible. We remember Jonah had fled from God and His command to preach to those in Nineveh (Jonah 1). During a terrible storm, he was cast overboard to save the ship on which he sailed. He was then swallowed by a great fish, where he remained for three days and nights (Jonah 1:17-2:10). Once back on land, Jonah went to Nineveh to preach (Jonah 3), but Jonah was disappointed when he saw the obedience of the people (Jonah 4). The book of Jonah ends abruptly, leaving Jonah standing next to a wilted gourd in the hot sun to contemplate the Lord’s love, patience, mercy, and salvation (Jonah 4:11).

     The statement “salvation is of the Lord” is the main idea of the book of Jonah. This means that salvation, the act of being saved from sin and its consequences, comes from God. For that reason, Jonah 2:9 is the key verse of the book. When we read the book of Jonah, we can see that this truth overshadows the entire four chapters. For example, salvation was offered to Nineveh and the freighter ship in chapter one. In chapter two, Jonah received salvation from drowning. Chapters three and four focus on the salvation offered and accepted by the people of Nineveh. Someone has said that Jonah is “the gospel of the Old Testament,” and that sounds like an accurate statement.

     When we think about salvation, Jonah reminds us of its source when he confesses, “Salvation is of the Lord.” The salvation of man’s soul can be found nowhere else. Hebrews 5:9 makes this abundantly clear when we read that Christ is “the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him.” Our salvation is from the Lord, for His grace has been extended to all people (Titus 2:11-12). Therefore, I need to turn to the Lord for salvation to be saved from my sins. No one else can save me! Jonah confessed this, and I need to understand it!

     How will we respond to the Lord’s salvation? Will we ignore it? Will we obey? Each of us must make our own decision. The Bible vividly portrays individuals who fall into each category. Some rejected the cry and call for salvation, like Pharaoh, Agrippa, Felix, Nebuchadnezzar, Judas, and others. Many others, like Hannah, Esther, Ruth, Samuel, David, Paul, Timothy, and Titus obeyed. What difference did it make to them? Read about their lives in Scripture and see the outcomes!

     What will you do with the knowledge that “salvation is of the Lord”? Will you listen (Rom. 10:17; Acts 2:22)? Will you repent (Acts 17:30; II Pet. 3:9)? Will you obey (Heb. 5:9; Mk. 16:16)? The Bible teaches that while God has made salvation possible, we still must respond. In the case of Jonah, if he had gone to Nineveh and preached the truth (Jonah 3), but the people refused what he said, they would have died in their sins (Ezek. 3:17-21). God was the source of their salvation, but they could reject it and face the dire consequences (Jas. 1:14-15). This is a sobering reality that we must all consider.

     It is the same with us. God has made a way for us to be saved, and this is through Christ (Jn. 14:6). However, if we reject this plan, there is no other way to be saved. We must do it God’s way because “salvation is of the Lord.” To ignore this is to ignore the only way to have our souls cleansed from sin (Acts 22:16). What will you do?

 – Jarrod M. Jacobs 

“Doing God’s Will After Exhausting All Other Options” – 2/17/25

 “Doing God’s Will After Exhausting All Other Options”  – 2/17/25

 

    In March of 1967, Israeli diplomat and politician Abba Eban said, “Men and nations behave wisely when they have exhausted all other resources.” (I have heard variants of this, but this is the original statement.) His words remind me of the actions of the sailors in Jonah 1:11-16.

     As the storm raged in Jonah 1, the mariners sought an answer. Jonah provided the answer when he told them, “Take me up and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you” (v. 12). In other words, the only way to get the storm to cease was to throw Jonah overboard to his sure and sudden death (they thought, see v. 17). Even in this desperate hour, killing a man was so distasteful, they could not accept what Jonah had said.

     We know this is the case because of what happened next (Jonah 1:13). “Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land, but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.” They could not accept God’s answer to their problem, so they continued doing things the way they had been. The verse tells us the result of their actions. They enjoyed peace in their voyage only when they did as Jonah (and God) said (v. 15-16).

     This account parallels people’s lives in the Scripture. Remember Naaman? After hearing what to do to be cleansed of leprosy, he got angry, assumed he had a better way, and even tried substituting one river for another to keep from obeying God (II Kings 5:10-12)! Only after he obeyed, however, was he clean (II Kings 5:14). 

     This account parallels the lives of people today. When told what to do to please God, how many of us refuse to accept it? We think we have a better way and continue doing what we want instead of listening to the Lord. However, the Bible is clear about the consequences of disobedience, and it often leads to suffering, loss, and separation from God.

     For example, this happens when people understand that they need to be baptized to be saved (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16; Col. 2:11-13; I Pet. 3:21) but refuse to do it. They say things like, “My grandparents didn’t do that.” Or, “My preacher said I don’t need to be baptized.” Or, “I was never taught that.” Or, “That doesn’t make sense to me.” We could go on with the excuses, but once we have exhausted our excuses, God still says we must be baptized if we want to be saved from sin! Like the sailors, we can keep trying to row to shore, but nothing will work until we do it God’s way!

     People will make excuses concerning our worship, specifically in the area of our singing. They wish to add instruments of music to the singing after God told us to simply “sing” in the New Testament (Matt. 26:30; Mk. 14:26; Acts 16:25; Rom. 15:9; I Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12, 13:15; Jas. 5:13). Some will go back to family members who had a “talent” for playing an instrument. Some say it sounds better. Still others will justify by saying, “I see nothing wrong with it.” Or, “David played an instrument.” These and other excuses would fill this article, but when folks get done making excuses, the New Testament still says to sing. Just like when those mariners got done rowing, God still wanted Jonah thrown overboard.

     Allow me to revise Abba Eban’s quote by saying that men and nations will usually do what God says after they have exhausted all other options. This is what happened in the case of Jonah. After doing everything else, they finally relented and threw Jonah overboard, as was told earlier (Jonah 1:15-16). In so doing, they saw the sea calm and safely traveled to Tarshish.

     Friend, why not save a lot of time, effort, excuses, mental gymnastics, etc., and just do what God has said in the first place? If we obey God first and continue doing what He has said, we can get to the blessings much faster and suffer less from bad decisions (Matt. 6:33)! Don’t exhaust other options; make faith in God and obedience your first option (Jn. 14:15; Rev. 22:14)!

 

– Jarrod M. Jacobs

 

“Questions The World Asks Of Christians” - 2/14/25

 “Questions The World Asks Of Christians” - 2/14/25

 

        As the storm raged, the sailors found Jonah asleep in the boat (Jonah 1:5-6). They couldn’t believe he was asleep, asking, “What meanest thou, O sleeper?” (KJV). In other words, “What are you doing sleeping?” (BBE, NET) Or, “How can you sleep?” (BSB). Danger was all around, and yet Jonah was sleeping through it! The mariners were stunned and asked how he could ignore what was happening. They asked more than this, though. In Jonah 1:8, he was pelted with questions. “Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? And whence comest thou? What is thy country? And of what people art thou?”

     These questions are significant for several reasons. Not only did they demand an answer when the storm raged around them in the Mediterranean, but aren’t these questions the world asks of Christians today? Isn’t this also upside-down from how it ought to be?

     “What are you doing sleeping?” - Isn't it striking that the child of God sleeps while the worldly person is awake? This was the case in Jonah’s days, and it's a warning Paul issued to Christians in Romans 13:11-14. He urged, “It is high time to wake out of sleep”! This call to wake up is not a casual suggestion but an urgent plea. Paul repeated this in Ephesians 5:14, I Corinthians 15:34, and I Thessalonians 5:5-8. This means he has written the same message to four different congregations of Christians! The need to be awake is pressing. Let us heed Paul's call and awaken to the spiritual warfare around us before the worldly people cry out to us and ask why we are asleep! Let us consider the other questions Jonah was asked and apply them to Christians today.

     “Why is this happening?” - Many do not realize that the reason we suffer what we do is often the consequence of the sin we commit. Galatians 6:7 reveals, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” How often have we become blind to the fact that we reap what we sow? The world needs to understand this. We cannot avoid or delay the day of reaping. We know that we can be forgiven of sin (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16), but there are times when we still suffer the physical consequences of sin. Thus, the answer for why this is happening is “sin”! In the case of Jonah 1, they suffered because of Jonah’s sin. Today, we suffer because of our sins and the sins of people around us. This is a sobering truth that we must not ignore.

     “What is your work?” - Asking this question reminded me of a sign for a furniture company in Owensboro, KY. The sign on their building reads: “Our job is to preach the gospel. We sell furniture to make money.” Wow! Friend, what do we say when someone asks us what our work is? Jonah’s work was to preach God’s word (Jonah 1:2). At this point, he was failing miserably! How do we answer the question, “What is your work?” Think about it! Each Christian has work to do while we are on earth. Are we doing it?

     “Where did you come from?” -  To Jonah, he would have told them his place of origin. For Christians, can we answer where we came from? My Bible tells me I have been “born again” (Jn. 3:3, 5; I Pet. 1:23)! I came from my Father who loved me and made a way by which I can be saved through His Son Jesus Christ (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-6)! What do you answer people today when they ask where you came from? Are you thinking in earthly terms or Heavenly, and why?

     “What is your country?” - If someone asked you what country you’re from, could you answer like the apostle Paul and say my “citizenship is in heaven …” (Phil. 3:20)? Christians have a dual-citizenship, for though we live on earth in whatever country, we also have been “born again” into the kingdom of Christ, wherein we enjoy the blessings of being a citizen there as well! I am a citizen of a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered by any (Dan. 2:44). It will stand forever! When I am asked about my country, this is what the Christian can say and invite others to become citizens as well (Mk. 16:15; II Tim. 2:2)!

     “Who are your people?” - When Jesus faced a similar issue, He responded by saying His people are, “Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven …” (Matt. 12:50). Who are my people? The answer is that fellow Christians are “my people.” Regardless of race, nationality, etc., we belong in the same kingdom if we are Christians (Jn. 3:5; Acts 2:38). John wrote, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I Jn. 1:7). Who are your people, dear reader?  

     If you are a Christian, can you answer these questions? When those in the world come to you amid storms, asking, “Why”? What are you going to say? 

– Jarrod M. Jacobs

“The Salvation Of The Gentiles” - 2/12/25

 “The Salvation Of The Gentiles” - 2/12/25

     This article differs from past articles because I am not focusing on one verse, passage, or chapter. Instead, I want to discuss a truth revealed in this book: God’s love for Gentiles. I have often been asked, “What about the Gentiles in the Old Testament? Did God not love them also? Did they have to wait for salvation until the Lord came and died on the cross?”

     Indeed, we can’t imagine a God who would say to an entire race of people, “Sorry, but you will be lost, and none of you will have a chance at salvation for at least 4000 years once my Son arrives to die on the cross.” I am concerned some might think this because of the focus the Bible has on the Jews. God indeed chose a nation of people to bring the Lord to the earth. God chose for all nations to be blessed through Abraham and his descendants (Gen. 12, 15, 17, etc.). As we read the Bible, it maintains a sharp focus on these people and their genealogy so that we can know with certainty that Jesus has come through the tribe of Judah to save us as promised (Gen. 49:10; Matt. 1:1-17; Lk. 3:23-38).

     Please do not misinterpret God’s focus on the genealogy of Christ as ignoring the Gentiles. Unfortunately, the Jews had this attitude, and since God chose through them all nations would be blessed, they discounted all other people and thought them “unworthy” of love or kindness, etc. This was never God’s intention. Abraham was the “father of faith” to Jews and Gentiles since God called Abraham before he was circumcised (Gen. 12, 17; Rom. 4:8-25).

     Looking forward to Abraham’s promise, we see that the Jews and their descendants served the purpose of bringing Christ into the world. Yet, this savior would be a savior for all people, not just the Jews (Heb. 2:9b; Matt. 20:28). What does this have to do with the Ninevites in Jonah? Notice that God has sent Jonah to call these Gentile people to repentance (Jonah 1:2, 3:1-5). “Why call the people to repentance if they had no way of being saved until Christ died on the cross?” To ask that question is to answer it! Men, including Jonah, Nahum, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Daniel, and others, called and cried out to the Gentile (heathen) to repent and return to God. Why do this if God “didn’t care” for them? Why do this if they had no hope? By asking these questions, I think our dear readers know the answer.

     The apostle Paul said that where there is no law, there is no sin (Rom. 4:15, 5:13). Since God is calling the people to repent and come back to God, they must have had some law in place. What “law” might this have been? I submit they were under the patriarchal law/dispensation that had been set up back in Genesis. Paul hints at this idea when he asks, “Wherefore then serveth the law?” (Gal. 3:19). Or, what purpose did the Law (or Moses) serve? He answers the question in the same verse. “It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.” In this study, we note that Paul said the Law of Moses “was added” to something until the seed should come. To what was the Law “added”? It was added to the patriarchal law! That patriarchal law had not gone away or been abolished at Sinai (Ex. 20-22). Instead, the Law of Moses was added to it. The Gentiles were to follow that patriarchal law while the Jews (who had crossed the Red Sea, Deut. 5:3) were subject to this law given at Sinai. Thus, when Jonah was sent to call those people to repentance, it was because they were subject (amenable) to a law that God had for them for millennia. God expected them to follow it, and they would suffer the consequences when they didn't.

     Of course, since Christ has died, we are under His testament (Heb. 9:14-15) and His law (Gal. 6:2) and must follow it while we are on earth (Rev. 22:14). God has not forgotten us and has provided a way for us to be saved (Mk. 16:16). In the Old Testament, God did not ignore or forget His Gentile people! They had souls and needed to be right with God as well. They could do so by following the patriarchal law. This is not to say some Gentiles did not become proselytes to the Jewish way. Still, those who did not were amenable to the patriarchal law and would answer to God for their transgressions (Rom. 4:15, 5:13). This is why God sent Jonah to Nineveh - to offer them one more opportunity to repent and save their souls before it was too late.

     Reflecting on God’s love, patience, longsuffering, and mercy, we can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude. These divine attributes have been demonstrated to us time and again, including in the book of Jonah. Aren't you thankful for such a loving and merciful God?

 – Jarrod M. Jacobs

“Sleeping During The Storm” - 2/8/25

 “Sleeping During The Storm” - 2/8/25

    When the tempest raged on the Mediterranean, the mariners on the ship scrambled, trying to keep the boat afloat (Jonah 1:4-5). They then came to Jonah and awoke him from sleep, demanding he call upon Jehovah as they had been calling upon their gods in the hope that this storm might assuage.

     Can you imagine someone sleeping when the storm was raging like this? Why was he not awakened by the winds and waves? Why was he not awakened by the sailor’s cries? We are never told why, only that it happened. He was asleep while everything was falling apart around him (Jonah 1:4)!

     Friends, I am concerned that this is happening today with Christians. There are those whose marriages are falling apart. Are we asleep to this, or are we trying to show them that Christ is the answer for our lives and our marriages (Eph. 5:23-32; Matt. 6:33)? People are losing their souls in sin and error (Ezek. 18:20; Jas. 1:15). Are we asleep to them and their conditions, or are we awake and showing them the way to salvation in Christ (Jn. 14:6; I Pet. 3:21)? Remember, we are to love our fellow man (Matt. 7:12). We are to show concern for them and especially their souls (Gal. 6:1-2). We must wake up and show folks the truth before it is too late (Heb. 3:7-8)!

     Just like the mariners, people suffer from personal storms and do not see a way out. Are we asleep to their troubles? People are asking for help and expect those of us who are Christians to have an answer. Are we providing folks with the answer? Do we care? Jonah was asleep in the boat, oblivious to the dangers surrounding him. Let us not be like that today!

     The apostle Paul told the Roman Christians (and us by application), “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:11-14).

     Yes, it is “high time” we woke up! Satan has control of this world (Jn. 12:31, 14:30, 16:11; Eph. 2:2), and humanity suffers as a result. We, who are Christians, know the answer for life now and for life to come (I Tim. 4:8). Are we listening? Are we doing our part to instruct folks? In Jonah’s case, the ship’s captain woke Jonah to tell him to pray (Jonah 1:6). The world today wants us to do the same. Are we praying for the world’s condition? Are we praying for open doors for the gospel (Col. 4:3; Eph. 6:18-19; II Thess. 3:1-2)? Are we praying for relief?

     Paul wrote the Thessalonians (and us) to wake up and not sleep in these times. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thess. 5:4-9).

     Brethren, it is high time to wake up and see what is happening! Don’t sleep, but stay awake and pray to God! Prayer is an underused weapon in our arsenal — let’s use it and be a blessing to ourselves and the world!

– Jarrod M. Jacobs 

“Our Sin Affects More Than One” - 2/7/25

 “Our Sin Affects More Than One” - 2/7/25

     One of the ways that people justify sin is by saying, “No one will ever know.” Some say, “No one will ever get hurt.” Some think no one will be affected by a sin except for them. I have heard people say, “What if I decide to go get drunk (get high) in the woods by myself? I would hurt no one but myself, then.” Of course, none of those excuses are valid. This is selfishness gone to seed! We must remember that our actions, even in solitude, have a ripple effect on the lives of others.

     Selfishness is at the heart of every sin. Think about it – “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed,” is what James said in James 1:14. When man yields to the temptations of the lusts of the flesh and eyes or pride of life (I Jn. 2:15-17), then sin occurs. Notice, he sinned because he wanted to do it – selfishness! I sinned because I wanted to! I care about no one else’s feelings or thoughts. I am going to do what I want to do!

     Why did Jonah get on the ship going to Tarshish? It is because he wanted to do it! He wanted to run away, and his selfish attitude would ensure he got as far away from Nineveh as possible. At this point, Jonah cared for no one else’s feelings, thoughts, or wishes. He was leaving town, and that was it – selfishness!

     The Bible tells us that when Jonah boarded the ship, the “mighty tempest” arose soon after (Jonah 1:4). In an attempt to keep the boat afloat, the mariners threw the freight off of the ship (v. 5). This is a passage that might get passed over as we read, but slow down and think about this. There were people in Spain who had ordered things from the Middle East. They had paid good money for them and expected their goods to be delivered, but now those items were at the bottom of the Mediterranean!

     Those items were lost because of Jonah’s sin! Can we see how selfishness blinds us? Can we see how sin affects more than just one person? When Jonah boarded that ship, we know he was already sinning because his refusal to preach to the Ninevites affected precious souls there. At the same time, can we imagine him thinking, “Oh boy! I’ll get on this ship and really mess up the lives of these sailors and also mess up people’s lives in Tarshish!” I am sure those people were never in his mind. That is the way of selfishness! Yet, his sin affected others, including complete strangers he would never meet in Nineveh, Tarshish, and points in between!

     Friends, never forget that our sins affect other people directly and indirectly! Our sins affect family members who love us (e.g., the Father of the Prodigal, Lk. 15:11-32; Prov. 10:1, 17:21, 25, 29:3), those we sin against (Matt. 5:23-24, 18:15, 21), our souls (Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 6:23), and, depending on what we have done, the lives of strangers (like Jonah did). In addition to all of this, our sins affect Heaven itself (Lk. 15:18, 21; I Cor. 8:12)! When we consider what Christ did in coming to this earth and suffering on the cross (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; Jn. 18:36-37), we know our sins have caused this. Beginning at Eden (Gen. 3:15) and continuing until this good day, our sins affect Heaven itself!

     Jonah hurt many people with his sin. That’s the nature of sin. In like manner, our sins hurt many. Why do we keep sinning? We do so because of selfishness! Let us make the determined effort to fight selfishness in our lives and be mindful of the lives and souls of others while we live on earth (Phil. 2:4; Gal. 6:2). What a difference that decision would have made in Jonah’s life and countless others affected by his decision! Who knows what good can be done when we have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5) and put others before ourselves?

 – Jarrod M. Jacobs

“A Mighty Tempest” - 2/6/25

 “A Mighty Tempest” - 2/6/25

In an earlier article, we noted some similarities between Jonah and Jesus and how the life and work of Jonah foreshadowed when Christ was on earth. Our study here will show another connection between Jonah and our Lord. Please read Jonah 1:4-16.

Not long after Jonah boarded the ship, the Lord sent a great wind that stirred “a mighty tempest” that would have broken up the boat. As the mariners scrambled to keep the ship afloat, they turned their attention to Jonah, asleep in the boat. Once awakened, he said he was the reason for the trouble, and they needed to throw him overboard if the storm was to end. The men resisted at first but then agreed and threw him overboard. As soon as this was done, the storm ceased, causing these men to fear and offer a sacrifice to Jehovah (not their gods, v. 5).

Does this event sound familiar to you? Have we read this before? If you are not sure, read Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25. Here, we read of a very similar situation happening to the Lord. Jesus told the apostles, “Let us pass over to the other side” (of Galilee, Mk. 4:35). As they went, “a great tempest” (Matt. 8:24) began, and the ship was in “jeopardy” (Lk. 8:23). The apostles scrambled as Jesus slept below (Mk. 4:38). When the apostles awoke Jesus, He caused the storm to “cease” (Lk. 8:24) and it left the apostles amazed and in fear (Mk. 4:41).

It is never said in the synoptic gospels (Matt-Lk), but I wonder if those people ever noticed that they had lived through a similar situation to Jonah. Were events like this “fodder” for those who thought Jesus was “one of the prophets” (Matt. 16:14)? Several of Jesus’ miracles were often reminders of things that had happened before. After all, He healed lepers and fed many with a small amount, as Elisha had (II Kings 4-5). Jesus raised dead people as Elijah had (I Kings 17:17-24). In this case, He was on a ship during a terrible storm and caused the storm to cease, just as Jonah did. The list goes on.

Again, while these accounts are not identical, Jonah’s experience in the Mediterranean foreshadows Christ’s on Galilee. Notice that on both occasions:

• Men received instruction from God (Jonah 1:2; Mk. 4:35).

• Men faced the worst storm they had seen (Jonah 1:5-6; Matt. 8:24-25).

• Our heroes were surrounded by those who could not solve the problem on their own (Jonah 1:5, 13; Mk. 4:38).

• Those in the boats learned they had to do things God’s way if they were to be saved (Jonah 1:12, 14-15; Lk. 8:24-25).

What can we learn from this account? First, a study of foreshadowing like this ought to deepen our faith in the inspired word of God (II Tim. 3:16-17). We should appreciate how the Bible agrees with itself, showing its consistency. Further, the practical side of this reading shows us that even when times are hard, even when we are enduring the “storms” of life that seem to have no end, there is a God in Heaven who sees and loves us (Ps. 23:4). We need to trust and follow His will even when it seems odd or counter-intuitive to do (Prov. 3:5-6)! Christ has control of the very elements of the world! He is our Savior, and His peace is enough for us to calm the storms in our lives (Phil. 4:6-7)!

– Jarrod M. Jacobs

“He Paid The Fare” – 2/5/25

 “He Paid The Fare” – 2/5/25

 

    How often has it happened to you that you read a passage, chapter, or even book of the Bible for the “nth” time and, in so doing, run across a statement you have never seen before? That phrase has been in there, but for some reason, it had not “clicked” until this time. I suppose we all can say this. In a recent reading of the book of Jonah, a prophet who God called to deliver a message to the city of Nineveh but initially chose to flee from God, I saw “he paid the fare” as if for the first time. Why had this phrase never jumped out at me before? The statement opens up many thoughts and lessons.

     After Jonah decided to run away from God, Jonah 1:3 says he went to Joppa (from Gath-Hepher?), found a ship going to Tarshish, and then “paid the fare.” He made sure he had the money ahead of time and thus paid for his passage aboard the ship. Paying the fare means he did this with a clear mind. He determined, “I will not do what God said.”

     Do we know of others who sinned like this? More to the point, have you ever sinned like this? The Bible says that “every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (Jas. 1:14). These lusts used to tempt man include the lusts of the flesh and eyes and the pride of life (I Jn. 2:15-17). What temptations have enticed you to “pay the fare” so you can sin?

     Was it pornography? Pornography is a multi-billion dollar industry. Many are “paying the fare,” are they not? Are you doing the same? The Bible says that a man who lusts for a woman has committed adultery already in his heart (Matt. 5:28). The Bible also says adultery will keep you out of Heaven (I Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21). We need to be like Job, who made a covenant with his eyes concerning such sins (Job 31:1). This means that Job made a solemn promise to himself and to God to avoid looking at anything that would lead him to sin. Have you done so?

     Was it gambling? Folks often “pay the fare” to gamble their money. When we boil this down, gambling is nothing more than stealing by consent! The Bible tells us not to steal (Eph. 4:28; Rom. 13:9). Yet, how often men gamble, agreeing to let someone steal their money, sometimes significant amounts of money that could have been used to buy groceries or make a house payment. Now it is gone. Friends, remember that casinos, state lotteries, and such are not in business because they are losing!

     Was it alcohol? Many have wasted their money because of their drinking. They “paid the fare,” got drunk, and lost more than brain cells as a result. Many have lost money, marriages, children, jobs, and much more because they would not listen to the Lord, who said, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Prov. 20:1). They did not heed the wise man’s warning and not even look on the wine (Prov. 23:31)! They did not apply the words of the apostle who warned against drinking alcohol in any form (I Pet. 4:3). Yes, when we are determined to go against the words of God, we will “pay the fare”!

     Like Jonah, when we are determined to sin, we will pay! Paul wrote, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Jonah had “paid the fare,” and as we read the rest of the book of Jonah, he will reap the consequences! The consequences of sin are not to be taken lightly; they are real and severe, and they will not be avoided.

     Someone said that sin takes you farther than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay, and costs you more than you want to pay. That is an accurate description, for truly whatever “fare” Jonah spent that day, he would pay much more before he was finally free!

     Take a moment and consider your life, friend. Are you acting like Jonah? Now is the time to repent (Heb. 3:7-8; II Cor. 6:2). Now is the time to get right with God. Don’t keep paying the “fare”! “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:14)! The time for repentance is now, not later. Repent, be baptized, and have your sins forgiven before it is too late (Acts 2:38)!

 – Jarrod M. Jacobs

“Jonah Rose Up To Flee” - 2/4/25

 “Jonah Rose Up To Flee” - 2/4/25

     This statement from Jonah 1:3 is well-known, I am sure. After God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against them, he set out to do the opposite. He was fleeing from God, from his duty, from the Ninevites, and from his homeland to keep from doing what God said. What Jonah did was not a random mistake or a misunderstanding. This was a profound act of rebellion against the will of God Almighty! The Lord said long ago that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” in His eyes (I Sam. 15:23), and Jonah was guilty of it now.

     Man does not take sin seriously. Many treat sin as a game, a joke (Prov. 14:9), as if it is not real. Folks laugh at sin and brag about their sin. They do not realize what sin has done to them and God. Some are ignorant of the impact of sin, that it ultimately brings death (Ezek. 18:20; Jas. 1:14-15). While we are not privy to all of Jonah’s thoughts at this time, it is evident that he was not serious about sin and preferred rebellion to obedience.

     Some might ask why I use the term “rebellion” when referring to Jonah’s action in Jonah 1:3. I use the term because that is what it is! He rebelled just as much as Saul did when he refused to obey God (I Sam. 15). Jonah rebelled just as much as Adam and Eve did when they disobeyed Jehovah (Gen. 3:6). He rebelled just as Pharoah, Ahab, Caesar, and many more did!

     Rebellion is not just something that happens with a raised fist or a scream. Rebellion can happen quietly as well. It is a conscious decision we make to reject what God wants. For example, Saul denied he had disobeyed God because of all the other things he had done “right” (I Sam. 15:13-15). Yet, Samuel pointed out the “bleating of the sheep … and the lowing of the oxen” (I Sam. 15:14). Doing what I want 1% of the time and doing what God wants 99% of the time does not equal complete obedience. That is true for Saul, Jonah, and us! Though we might point out times when Jonah obeyed God, this single act of running away to Tarshish instead of going to Nineveh proved his rebellion against God!

     Yes, sometimes people rebel quietly! Yet, they must still face the consequences of their action (Rom. 6:23). It is high time we realize what sin is and take it seriously. When God tells us to do something, and we refuse, it is not cute. It is not a “minor infraction.” We have rebelled by following our will instead of God’s!

     Let us examine ourselves (II Cor. 13:5). Are we truly doing what God wants, or are we rebelling against God by obeying only when it is what we want to do, anyway? As we continue to read the book of Jonah, we see that what Jonah did was not a “minor” act or something to be “swept under the rug!” His sins, as well as ours, have contributed to the demand that One come to die as a sacrifice for sin (Jn. 18:36-37). Yes, Jesus came and died on the cross so that we might be forgiven of our sins, our rebellion, when we genuinely repent (Lk. 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30; II Pet. 3:9). The urgency of repentance cannot be overstated. Have you repented?

 – Jarrod M. Jacobs

“Go To Nineveh” - 2/3/25

 “Go To Nineveh” - 2/3/25

 

    Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire during the time of Jonah and stood as a prominent city until Babylon ruled the world. We read of Nineveh from Genesis 10 through the book of Nahum, who predicted its fall some 100 years after Jonah. Bible history tells us the people were idolatrous. The main god of the Ninevites was Nisroch (II Kings 19:37; Isa. 37:38), a god with a man’s body and an eagle’s head. Nahum 3:1 calls Nineveh a “bloody city … full of lies and robbery.”

   The city itself was truly awe-inspiring. History tells us that Nineveh had walls 60 miles in circumference and 100 feet high! The walls were so thick that three horses and chariots could ride side-by-side on the wall. The walls had 1500 towers that stood 200 feet high and an inner wall that was some eight miles in circumference! Jonah 3:3 describes Nineveh as “an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.” This does not mean it took Jonah three days to walk there. The language implies that it took Jonah (or anyone) three days to walk across town! Jonah 3:4 explains this when it tells us Jonah entered the city “a day’s journey” in his preaching. In other words, he had preached and only made it one-third of the way across Nineveh, and things started to happen (Jonah 3:5-10)!

     The walls, the reputation of the people, and the seemingly great wealth of Nineveh would no doubt intimidate most. Yet, God told Jonah to “go to Nineveh” (Jonah 1:2), and Jonah needed to go. Whatever feelings he might have about this place needed to be set aside. It was time to muster his courage and preach the truth.

     The lesson I need to learn is that God expects His children to go and speak the truth to others (II Tim. 2:2). It is our responsibility to be ready at all times to “preach the word” (II Tim. 4:2). We might not go to some great city with impressive walls, riches, a reputation, etc. However, we are responsible for foregoing feelings of intimidation, opening our mouths, and speaking to our family members, neighbors, friends, coworkers, etc., about the Lord! As God told Ezekiel, let us not be afraid of people’s words or looks as we speak the truth of the gospel (Ezek. 2:6). Like Jonah, we have the truth (Jn. 17:17), and it needs to be told to a sin-sick world!

     What will it take for God to convince you to go to “Nineveh”? In other words, what will it take for Christians to realize their work is to preach the gospel far and wide and spread the truth they know (Heb. 5:12-14)? Stop fighting God! Stop making excuses! Pray for opportunities to teach (II Thess. 3:1-2). Pray for open doors (Col. 4:3; Rev. 3:8), and then let us run through those doors and get as far as we can with the gospel!

 – Jarrod M. Jacobs

“Jonah The Son Of Amittai” – 2/2/25

 “Jonah The Son Of Amittai” – 2/2/25

 

    As we read the book of Jonah, we discover that Jonah the prophet takes center stage across the four chapters. Bible students, familiar with this book and the gospel records, will immediately draw the connection between Jonah and the Lord’s words in Matthew 12:38-41. While this is a pivotal point in the narrative, I invite you to explore other connections between Jesus and Jonah that are equally worthy of our attention. These connections will surely enlighten and intrigue you.

     Learning that Jonah is the son of Amittai might seem unimportant until we go to the Bible and do some research. Amittai is only mentioned in Jonah 1:1, and II Kings 14:25. God says he was a prophet (mouthpiece) for God and has apparently raised his son to be a prophet as well. In addition to this, we read that he was from Gath-Hepher (Gittah-hepher, Josh. 19:13). This might not mean much to us until we get a map and notice that Gath-Hepher was just a few miles away from Nazareth, the place where Jesus grew up (Matt. 2:23).

     This town is within the region given to the descendants of Zebulon, Jacob’s sixth son from Leah (Gen. 30:19-20), just as Nazareth is. This is significant because of what was said when Jesus began His preaching. In Matthew 4:14-17 we read, “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time, Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This region, often called Galilee of the Gentiles, was where Jesus began His work, bringing light and hope to a spiritually dark and oppressed region. Thus, we have a connection between Jonah and Jesus in the region where they grew up.

     We also see a connection between Jonah’s name and Christ’s work. What do I mean? When we look into the meaning of Jonah, his name means “dove.” The dove is universally considered a symbol of peace. When we read the book of Jonah, God wanted peace between Him and Nineveh and achieved it through Jonah’s preaching (Jonah 3). Similarly, our Lord is called “the Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6-7)! The angels sang about His peace at His birth (Lk. 2:14). He came to bring peace, not just to one nation, but to all nations (Eph. 2:13-17; Col. 1:20-21)! Peace is a cornerstone of His kingdom! Thus, we see an embodiment of peace in Jonah and his work and the ultimate expression of peace in Christ, whose work was to bring peace between God and humanity.

     Jonah’s life and work foreshadowed what was to come in Christ. May we appreciate this truth when we read the book of Jonah. Despite Jonah’s actions often contradicting the meaning of his name, Christ, the true Prince of Peace, perfectly fulfilled His role. Aren’t we thankful to be able to follow the Prince of Peace and look forward to the greatest peace ever known when we see Heaven one day?

 – Jarrod M. Jacobs

“The Word Of The Lord” – 2/1/25

“The Word Of The Lord” – 2/1/25

 

    The phrase “the word of the Lord” appears at least 255 times in the KJV, including in Jonah 1:1 and 3:1. What does this phrase teach us?

     First and foremost, “the word of the Lord” is authoritative. As we read Jonah 1:1 and 3:1, we see that it is not just a suggestion God made to Jonah but a command. Jonah was told to go to Nineveh and preach God’s truth to these people. God expected Jonah to warn the people of their sins and the consequences of their wrongdoings. This is further explained and seen in Jonah 3. “The word of the Lord” has the authority to demand certain words and actions from us. It is not a mere suggestion but a divine command that demands our obedience!

     By using the phrase “the word of the Lord,” we know this was not made up by Jonah (or anyone else). Despite claims to the contrary, the Bible does not have a human author (II Pet 1:20-21)! Yes, men wrote God’s word down, as Peter noted, but these men did not speak of their own opinions or experiences. They wrote what God wanted written (II Tim. 3:16-17). For example, John, Isaiah, and others were told to write down what they saw and heard (Rev. 1:11, 19, 14:13; Isa. 30:8; Jer. 30:1-2; etc.). They did not write their thoughts but wrote and taught God’s truth (Jn. 17:17). God expected Jonah to do the same thing when he got to Nineveh.

     When we read that “the word of the Lord” was to go to Nineveh, we learn something about the love of God for those people. Sometimes, folks are left with the impression that God really wasn’t interested in the Gentiles throughout the Old Testament days. It is as if God ignored them for 4000 years until the Lord came to earth. Books like Jonah, Isaiah, Daniel, and others make it clear that God was interested in the souls of the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Had God not been interested in their salvation, then why send Jonah? Why not let them die in their sins? God wanted these Gentiles to repent, and His “word” ensured that folks knew what He wanted and how they could be right in His sight.

     “The word of the Lord” will do the same for us today! The Bible is not a mere historical document. It is more than that! God’s word is as authoritative as it has always been (I Pet. 4:11). It tells us what to do and warns us of wrong (II Tim. 3:16-17). It leads us in the right way so that we might live a life pleasing in the sight of God (Psa. 119:105). Have you listened to and obeyed “The Word of the Lord”?

 

– Jarrod M. Jacobs