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JONAH 2:8,9

"LEARNING AN EASY LESSON THE HARD WAY"

I. THE CALL OF GOD,   "ARISE, GO TO NINEVEH." 
        A. Nineveh, the capitol of Assyria.
                1. The Assyrians were becoming a powerful empire.
                        a. They were a threat to Israel.
                        b. They were very cruel.
        B. Jonah thought if God destroyed Nineveh, nothing would please
           him more.
                1. He reasoned, "God is so merciful."
                        a. If I go preach they might repent.
                        b. If they repent, God might be merciful and
                           forgive.
                        c. Then they are still a threat to our national
                           security.
                        d. "I'm heading for Tarshish."
                                1. Tarshish thought to be England in those
                                   days, the end of the world.

II. THE MISTAKES JONAH MADE.
        A. That he could hide from the presence of God.
                1. It is a mistake to localize God.
                        a. That is to think of Him as closer to one place
                           as opposed to another.
                                1. God fills every corner of the universe.
                                2. "If I ascend into heaven..., If I make
                                   my bed in hell..., If I take wings..."
                                3. So often you'll hear ministers pray in
                                   the church, "We are thankful for this
                                   opportunity to come into Thy presence."
                                4. Had you gone to the bar, you would
                                   still be just as much in the presence
                                   of God. Just not as aware.
                                5. The enemies of Israel made a mistake,
                                   "He is the God of the hills." He is the
                                   God of the Universe!
        B. That He could escape the call of God.
                1. God said, "Go to Nineveh," Jonah headed in opposite
                   direction toward Tarshish.
                2. "The gifts and callings of God are without repentance."
                3. I believe when Jonah suggested to the sailors that they
                   throw him overboard, he was still thinking of escaping
                   the call of God.
                        a. Better dead than go to Nineveh.
                4. I believe when the great fish swallowed him, he thought
                   it will soon be over, this is like hell, but I prefer
                   it to Nineveh.
        C. He thought he could wait God out.
                1. The miserable conditions he brought upon himself.
                        a. The floods compassed me, the waves sloshing
                           over me.
                        b. Seaweed wrapped around my head.
                        c. Hot and humid.
        D. He thought he knew better than God.

III. THE EASY LESSON, "THEY THAT OBSERVE LYING VANITIES FORSAKE THEIR OWN
     MERCY."
        A. Some people think they know better than God what is good for
           them.
                1. They make such a mess of their lives.
                2. They bring to themselves such misery.