The story of jonah running away – योना के भागने की कहानी
The story of Jonah running away is a well-known narrative from the Old Testament that demonstrates themes of disobedience, repentance, and God’s mercy. This story is found in the Book of Jonah, which is part of the Minor Prophets section in the Bible.
Jonah was a prophet of Israel who received a direct command from God. His story is unique because it focuses more on the prophet’s actions and attitudes rather than his prophecies.
God commanded Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against its wickedness, declaring that their evil had come up before Him. Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was known for its brutality and wickedness, and it was an enemy of Israel.
Instead of obeying God, Jonah chose to flee. He went down to the port city of Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish, a distant city in the opposite direction of Nineveh. Jonah paid the fare and boarded the ship, hoping to escape from the presence of the Lord.
God sent a great wind on the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. The sailors were terrified and each cried out to his own god. They threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.
Meanwhile, Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. he captain found Jonah and rebuked him, urging him to call on his god in hopes of saving the ship. The sailors cast lots to find out who was responsible for the calamity, and the lot fell on Jonah. They questioned Jonah about his identity and the cause of the storm. Jonah confessed that he was a Hebrew who worshiped the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land. Jonah admitted that he was running away from the Lord’s command, and he understood that the storm was because of him.
Jonah told the sailors to throw him into the sea to calm the storm. The sailors initially tried to row back to land but failed. They then prayed to the Lord, asking for mercy for what they were about to do. They reluctantly threw Jonah into the sea, and the raging sea grew calm immediately. The sailors were awestruck by the sudden calm and greatly feared the Lord. They offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to Him.
The Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. Inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God, expressing his distress and repentance. After three days, the Lord commanded the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land, giving him a second chance to obey.
Jonah’s attempt to flee from God’s command shows the futility of trying to escape divine will and the consequences of disobedience. The story highlights God’s control over nature and His ability to use even a disobedient prophet to fulfill His purposes. Despite Jonah’s disobedience, God shows mercy by saving him from drowning and giving him another opportunity to fulfill his mission. God’s concern for the people of Nineveh, a non-Israelite city, underscores the universality of His mercy and the inclusivity of His compassion.
The story of Jonah running away serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to God, the inescapability of His presence, and His boundless mercy and willingness to forgive those who repent.
The story of jonah running away – योना के भागने की कहानी
