Beyond lip service. Jonah 1:2,3.

Scripture.

The Word of the Lord came to Jonah, "Get up and go to Nineveh ..."
And so Jonah got up and went ... in the opposite direction.

I admit it. I love that bit. I can imagine those who told the story of Jonah, pausing for effect before delivering the punchline ... Jonah didn't go to Nineveh, but ran away. I can imagine the delight of the listeners, especially the children.

Contrast Jonah with Hosea: When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, he said to him, “Go marry a prostitute ..." So Hosea married Gomer ...(Hosea 1:2a, 3a).

Observation.
From the moment of Jonah's refusal to obey God's word to him, it's downhill. He went down to Joppa, "went down into it[the ship]", went below, and finally went down into the sea, to the depths.

It's pretty easy to predict that running away from what God wants me to do will lead to trouble. In spite of what we learn later about Jonah's motivation, the questions about what exactly he thought he could accomplish remain. He knew Yahweh is the God of Heaven who made the sea and the dry land, so where was he going? He knew that Yahweh was merciful, so why didn't he remember to pray until the last possible moment?

Application.
It's no surprise that Jonah floundered. But I too have been guilty of seeking refuge from what the Lord has in mind for me. So, let's say that for the next week, when it comes to a moment of decision, I'll remember Jonah.

Prayer.
God keep me from reaching a place in my life where getting swallowed by the big fish is rescue.
Amen.

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Baal -- 2010. Hosea 8:6.

Scripture.

They are from Israel!
This calf—a metalworker has made it;
it is not God.
It will be broken in pieces,
that calf of Samaria. (Hosea 8:6 TNIV)

Observation.
Worshiping a metal calf. How absurd. Someone made it. It's not God. This is pretty easy to see in our time. Our culture doesn't base its satisfaction on such obvious little gods. A god of metal, in the image of a virile animal, promising pleasure?

No way.




Application.
What little gods do I fashion from time to time? From day to day? How about this one ... putting a higher value on receiving appreciation than on giving appreciation.

Prayer.
Lord, make the gods in my life as apparent as your statement to Israel, so the absurdity just makes them go poof. Amen.

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Scripture.

"Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds."

Observation.
These are hopeful words from the prophet who lived out God's role in restoration.

I remember several years ago when the economy had tightened up, and I joined many others who no longer had a job. Seemingly, there was always one of two reactions on the part of "Christians". Their faith was strengthened, or their faith broke down.

Crisis does that. "How could you let this happen to me, God? Where are you now, when I need you?" Instead of, "Help me to be patient God. To wait upon you. To know what to do next. To remember you are God all the time."

Israel deserved every bit of what was about to take place. But even as Hosea sounded out the judgment of God as a result of Israel's spiritual adultery, he affirmed that there remained a future hope of deliverance and restoration.

Application.
The invitation is there, all the time. We have to do the returning though. I have to do the returning. This is passage is about what John wrote in his letter -- return to God, confess your sins, and He is faithful to forgive. Amen to that.

Prayer.
Let my day begin with a commitment to follow the rabbi. Let my day end with confession of my missteps. Keep me to it, Lord.

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