Jonah 1:1-17

Kunle Olabode appeals for us to flee evil

Kunle Olabode

So Jonah paid the appointed fare and went down into the ship to go with them to Tarshish from being in the presence of the Lord (Jonah 1:3c)

When Prophet Jonah embarked on his trip to Tarshish, supposedly to get away from God's presence, the initial fare that was demanded of him was affordable. It did not occur to Jonah at that stage of his plan that there were other unknown or hidden costs to be incurred along the journey. Satan operates with similar strategies when he advertises the initial gains and pleasures of sin; he never tells his patrons the full costs and consequences of dealing with him.

For Jonah, the trip to Tarshish eventually cost the cargo of others who were travelling with him. It ultimately cost him his very life. Similarly, as an example, when people get into using harmful drugs, they are hardly told that aside from 'pleasures' and the 'highs' derivable, they risk being dependent on such drugs; and that they become predisposed to losing their families, jobs, health and sanity. There are always hidden, often painful costs to every wrongdoing - no matter the apparent benefits.

Again for Jonah, his intension was to run away from God. He thought he'd had enough of God telling him to do the right thing; to live a life pleasing to God. He didn't want to save a whole city, so instead of him listening to God and obeying his instructions, he decided to do his own thing in his own way by going down to Tarshish. Unfortunately for him, he only started the journey; he did not get to his desired destination. The most painful thing was the loss of cargoes if not the lives of those in the ship with him.

So as we journey through life, let us learn to flee from every appearance of evil. They initially glitter, but end up with grief, pain, shame and loss. Shalom.