God Exposes Our Sin - Jonah

Jonah 1:7-10 (ESV)

And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

Before we think anything about the above passage we might want to consider this verse:

Numbers 32:23 (ESV)

But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.

God knows when we sin.   The above situation happens to Jonah because he chose to run away from God in disobedience:

Jonah 1:3 (ESV)

But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

God sees this and makes Jonah’s sin come to light before all.  Notice how God does this.  He allows a system created by the unbelieving sailors to bring to light Jonah’s sins.   They were using a custom of casting lots to ask the “gods” who it was among them that had caused this situation on the sea.  What these sailors did not know was the sovereignty of God over these things:

Proverbs 16:33 (ESV)

The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the LORD.

The sailors were trying to make a decision in the wrong way, but God used their decision to bring about His plan.  We need to make sure we don’t forget that.  The world has a system that is not intended to honor God, but God uses it for His very purpose.  

Perhaps the best example for that thought is this:

Mark 15:15 (ESV)

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Pilate was playing politics and Jesus was crucified.  But God used man’s political structure and sinful nature to bring salvation to man.  Amazing!!! 

Where Is Your Trust? Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28:26 (ESV)

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,

but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Perhaps before we discuss this proverb we ought to remember an earlier one written by Solomon:

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In both of these proverbs we have a major theme Solomon is communicating with his son (and us).   There are two roads we can travel.  One is filled with disaster and confusion and strife, even though it is painted with flowers, rainbows and good feelings.  Those who access this road think they are on the road to fortune and fame and end up in disaster and ruin.   The on-ramp for this road is the ramp of the flesh.     The other road before is the road entered by faith.  It has bumps and suffering and trials but, in the end, is filled with promise, blessing and joy.   We enter that road by the fear of The Lord.   That fear in "The Lord," gives us wisdom.  That wisdom allows us to walk wisely.   When we lean to our own understanding (our own mindset) we lack wisdom.  Our own mindset is made up of our own arguments, thoughts and limited perspective and the early imprints of our lives ... good or bad.  It is only God who can give us true understanding about life.   When we walk wisely (in the Fear of The Lord) we can know and be confident we will be delivered from the things of life.   God is in the way of wisdom.  When we follow the Spirit of God He gives us wisdom to change our the thoughts of our mind and to make the right choices and God honoring decisions.