When I read this verse, I remembered the times when I experienced some calamities in my life. While I was still a young boy, our place always experienced flooding. Sometimes the destruction is so great that many people have to move to other places. The greatest of these calamities was the one that almost wiped out the city, and killed more than 8,000 people. My family was one of those affected; my father, two sisters, and a niece died while another niece and a nephew were missing. Many of our neighbors were also killed because of that tragic event. Our house was totally wiped out. After the calamity, I received several help from friends and strangers alike. Bridges of friendship were made with strangers; help from people whom I don't know was poured upon us as if they were so close to us.
I have similar observation with what the victims of Typhoon Sendong experienced recently. I sympathized on their situation. But I do believe that bridges of friendship were also established during this moment.
When I read Jonah 1:8, those things that happened in my life returned. Remember that the people inside the ship were panicking, and now on the verge of dying because of the storm. And here comes the crew coming to Jonah; and asking all these things: “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” These are same questions that people under this circumstance will ask. Though in this case their circumstance was due to Jonah's disobedience of God and these people were trying to figure out what Jonah has done, these questions might be able to start building bridges of friendship. All victims of a calamity, whether great or small, rich or poor, come together and talk about their situation. The moment a door is opened an opportunity to establish friendship is made.
Unfortunately, in Jonah's case, this is not what happened. Because of his disobedience, people are now looking at him as someone who has brought the calamity. And indeed, it is true. He was now facing a pressure from these people, most especially when the lot was casted, it fell on him. The questions that the people asked him put him under pressure instead of establishing a bridge of friendship. And this is the case when a Christian is holding a sin in his/her life. S/he cannot escape from feeling the pressure that comes from the people surrounding her/him. And this will bring her/him back to God.
Useful Links
I have similar observation with what the victims of Typhoon Sendong experienced recently. I sympathized on their situation. But I do believe that bridges of friendship were also established during this moment.
When I read Jonah 1:8, those things that happened in my life returned. Remember that the people inside the ship were panicking, and now on the verge of dying because of the storm. And here comes the crew coming to Jonah; and asking all these things: “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” These are same questions that people under this circumstance will ask. Though in this case their circumstance was due to Jonah's disobedience of God and these people were trying to figure out what Jonah has done, these questions might be able to start building bridges of friendship. All victims of a calamity, whether great or small, rich or poor, come together and talk about their situation. The moment a door is opened an opportunity to establish friendship is made.
Unfortunately, in Jonah's case, this is not what happened. Because of his disobedience, people are now looking at him as someone who has brought the calamity. And indeed, it is true. He was now facing a pressure from these people, most especially when the lot was casted, it fell on him. The questions that the people asked him put him under pressure instead of establishing a bridge of friendship. And this is the case when a Christian is holding a sin in his/her life. S/he cannot escape from feeling the pressure that comes from the people surrounding her/him. And this will bring her/him back to God.
Useful Links
Jonah 1:8-10 by John Calvin
The Tragedy of an Unwilling Missionary by John Macarthur
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