The Daily Office for October 16, 2012
Scripture Readings
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel
Reflection
As Jonah opens we find that God has given a specific command. The prophet, however, chose not only to ignore the Lord but to do the exact opposite. Jonah’s action is understandable from a human point of view. Nineveh, first mentioned in Genesis 10:11, was the ancient capital of the Assyrian Empire and was located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River. It was the largest city in the world in that day and was a formidable threat to the existence of Israel. The prophet would have loved to go to Nineveh and declare God’s judgment, but not God’s grace.
Jonah’s situation is unique in two respects: (1) It is the only instance of a prophet’s being sent to a heathen nation; and (2) it is the only instance in which a prophet refuses to carry out his commission. Nineveh was east of Palestine, while Tarshish was at the extreme western end of the then-known world. Scholars have identified it as being a Phoenician smelting center, either in Spain or in Sardinia; for the name is found in both locations. Joppa is the city of Jaffa, the Mediterranean city used today as a seaport by Israel. The phrase "away from the presence of the LORD" does not indicate that Jonah thought he could escape the omnipresence of God. Rather it's used to indicate the land of Israel where the Lord dwelt in His Temple. This section shows that God is concerned for all people and nations even though, in this case, His own prophet hoped they would be judged harshly. It further introduces the extremes to which God will go in order to get His message to people for the accomplishment of His purpose.
Collect for the Day
O God, forasmuch as without you we are not able to please you; mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.