The Call of Jonah

One aspect of Christian service that, I am afraid, many Christians fail to grasp is that serving God IS A TREMENDOUS PRIVILEGE!!!  It is an indescribable honor and privilege, not some "right" that I have or something I am doing "for the church."

After studying the small O.T. book of Jonah, I have come to the conclusion that this book is actually a manual on missions. God called Jonah to be a "missionary" to the large, un-reached city of Nineveh. We see immediately that Jonah failed to see the great honor and privilege God was presenting to him and he became an example on how NOT to answer the call to missions. Nevertheless, God's call on Jonah's life was legitimate and, I believe, a pattern for His call throughout the years.

Notice:

1. Jonah's Call Was A Principled Call. (Jonah 1:1a, "The word of the Lord...")

   
   

   This call to the foreign mission field was grounded upon the Word of God. Jonah was a seasoned prophet and was familiar with the Word of God. His call to Nineveh was not an emotional call, not his mama's or preacher's call, but was a principled call, grounded firmly upon the Word of God
   

2. Jonah's Call Was A Personal Call. (Jonah 1:1b, "...came unto Jonah")

   
   

   Though we are all commanded to be a witness and win souls where ever we may be, God's call to the mission field is a personal call. This call to the mission field of Nineveh was directed specifically to Jonah.
   

3. Jonah's Call Was A Priority Call. (Jonah 2:1a, "...arise, go...")

   
   

   God was saying to Jonah, "Get up!  Get moving!" What ever Jonah was involved in, this call to Nineveh now had priority in his life. Note: God's call will never contradict my responsibilities, but will always take priority over my responsibilities. In other words, every aspect of my life is to be in submission to God's will and call upon my life.
   

4. Jonah's Call Was A Particular Call. (Jonah 2:1b, "...go to Nineveh...")

   
   

   God has a particular place for Jonah to declare God's Word.  Again, we are all to be a witness everywhere we may be, but God calls people to particular places throughout the world.  See Acts 16:6-10 for an example of God directing Paul & Silas to a particular place of ministry. It is important (especially in world missions) that we determine God's will concerning the place He would have us to serve. See also Proverbs 3:5-6.
   

5. Jonah's Call Was A Unpleasant Call. (Jonah 2:1c, "...their wickedness is coming up before me.")   The wickedness of this great city was especially grievous to God. Their wickedness was deliberate and "in God's face!" Serving God is a great joy, but it isn't always pleasant or convenient. No doubt, Jonah had his life planned out. He had family he loved and to rise up and go to this wicked city, despised by the Jews was not a pleasant assignment. There are unpleasant aspects to world missions, nevertheless, the great need for the Gospel around the world, the great blessings God pours out, and the great rewards that await those who obey His call make any unpleasant aspect of the ministry well worth it.

As we read on in the book of Jonah, we see that Jonah responded to God's call in the worst way possible.  Let's heed God's call upon our lives. My wife and I have always had the approach that we would assume that God has called us to the mission field somewhere on this planet, and that we would serve Him where we are and trust He would direct us to where He wanted us to be.