We all know the story of Jonah and the whale. But have you ever stopped to wonder why he ran away in the first place? It's not just simple disobedience. According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating collection of stories and interpretations from around the 8th century, Jonah's got a pretty compelling reason.
See, Jonah wasn't just some random dude. He was a prophet. And being a prophet, especially back then, was a high-stakes gig.
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer tells us that this wasn't Jonah's first rodeo. God had sent him on missions before. The first time, he prophesied the restoration of Israel's borders, and guess what? It happened! As the book of 2 Kings (14:25) says, "And he restored the border of Israel from the entering in of Hamath." So far, so good.
But the second time was trickier. God sent him to Jerusalem to predict its destruction. But God, being the compassionate being that God is, had a change of heart, repented, and spared the city. Great for Jerusalem. Not so much for Jonah. Now he looked like a false prophet!
So, here’s Jonah, a prophet with a reputation to protect. Then comes Nineveh. God tells him to go warn them of impending doom. But Jonah, bless his heart, argues with himself. "I know these Ninevites," he probably thought. "They're likely to repent! And if they repent, God will turn His anger back on Israel! I'll be damned if I'm going to be known as the prophet who brought destruction on my own people!" Can you feel his dilemma?
And it wasn't just about looking bad. As Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer explains, Jonah worried: "Is it not enough that Israel calls me a lying prophet? Now the nations will, too?" So, he decides to do the only thing he can think of: run.
But run where? He figures he'll escape to a place where God's glory isn't proclaimed. Good luck with that! As the Psalmist says (Psalm 113:4), "Above the heavens is his glory." And as Isaiah proclaims (Isaiah 6:3), "The whole earth is full of his glory."
So, Jonah heads to the sea, thinking he can find a place beyond God's reach. He goes down to Joppa, the ancient port city, looking for a ship. But wouldn't you know it, there isn't one available! Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer tells us that the ship he needed was deliberately delayed, two days away, as a test.
But God, never one to be outdone, sends a mighty storm to bring the ship back to Joppa. Jonah, seeing this, actually rejoices! He thinks, "Aha! This must mean my plan is working!" Oh, Jonah...
It's a very human moment, isn't it? Jonah, caught between his loyalty to God and his fear of the consequences, trying to navigate a situation where every option seems to lead to trouble. The story reminds us that even prophets, those we often see as paragons of faith, struggle with doubt, fear, and the complexities of doing what they believe is right.