Would you blame Jonah?

What to do when the zeal to do more, to go the extra mile just doesn’t exist?

DIGGING DEEP NO. 974 – February 28th, 2023 Am I him? Is he me? Gen.12: 1- 9.

What to do when the zeal to do more, to go the extra mile just doesn’t exist?
Yes, he was a prophet of God, yes, he was a messenger of God and Yes, he did try to run away when asked to deliver a message to the oppressors of his people, the message that would save them from destruction.
He said damn the consequences, I am out of here. Uncle Joe embarked on a cruise in the opposite direction, Tarshish here I come. After all, he deserves “me” time, he is “entitled” to his feelings.
What if other Israelites call me a sell-out? Can I stay this one out he reasoned, can’t you use another (wo)man to deliver the message he questioned, these people are a constant reminder of every hardship my people have faced, why not let them perish? God! didn’t you promise to wage war against my oppressors… so why save these ones?
Would you blame Jonah?

Discussion

1. In what other ways in our lives can(are) we exhibit(ing) JonahISM?
2. Jonah fled, Elijah ran, Moses got angry, I …, does that mean I have hope too?
3. Grudgingly, willingly, respectfully, does it matter how the work of God gets done?
4. How hard is it to see your oppressors get one over the line?
5. Knowing what we do now, we can all agree he is probably wrong but imagine a black man helping a white man during the slavery era, again, Would you blame Jonah? Jonah 4:1-4

Conclusion
What to do when the zeal to do more, to go the extra mile just doesn’t exist? Should I just keep winging it? Should I just pull an Elijah and be like God “kuku kill me” or should I just…