BIBLE STUDY: NOT Robo Calls
A. BACKGROUND... We’re looking at the idea/phenomenon of “calls” in the Bible. This refers to when God finds a way to convince a person that God specifically wants to put that person to work. It happens in all kinds of ways to all kinds of persons for all kinds of purposes. Abraham is told to start a nation. Jonah was told to save a foreign nation. Isaiah was told to wake up his nation. This week and next we’ll delve into more and deeper.
C. SUMMARY... Practically the whole Bible has people “called” by God to do this or that. I’m giving you types to show that God’s “call” can come in an infinite variety. Are you a parent, teacher, or coach? If so, you know you have an infinite variety of ways to get through: direct/indirect, loud/soft, verbal/non-verbal, in-person/not in-person. So does God.
Now, summary. In the Jeremiah scripture when God “calls” Jeremiah into God’s service as a prophet/spokesperson, Jeremiah’s excuse is that he’s too young. God’s answer is twofold. First, God chose Jeremiah even before he was born. Second, youth is no excuse. God will guide and inspire him.
In the Jonah scripture, when God “calls” Jonah to go to an enemy country to save them from destruction, Jonah tells God “No!!” Then he tries to flee from God’s presence by taking a ship in the opposite direction. God pursues the ship with a storm, Jonah is tossed overboard, swallowed by a “big fish,” rethinks his choices, and gets vomited onto land. Then he successfully convinces the enemy country to follow God’s way. Jonah ends up whining, not at all happy to be in God’s employ even when successful.
D. KEY POINTS
1. ARMY wisdom. My Army friends always quote “no excuse, sir” (when criticized) and “how high, sir?” (when asked to jump or do something difficult). They begin with the assumption that when asked to do something it needs to be done and done well. Or as an old song says, “do what you do, well.” When we feel/hear/sense God’s call we should also believe that God chose us for a reason, and that what is asked of us needs doing, and what needs doing God will help us to do.
2. The JONAH story is revolutionary. Perhaps the first time in history we learn that God, God’s love, God’s call, God’s way has no boundaries. Whatever God wants you to do, wherever it is to be done, for whomever: no boundaries. Yes, I have a poem about that!
God Speaks to Jonah
(Jonah)
No boundaries
no limits
get used to it
I’m here, there
everywhere you can think
to be or go
above or below
I am
there.
Get used to it.
Why, you ask?
Why go to Nineveh
you dare to ask!
Because I like them.
Get used to it.
That was your task
your simple, little bit
to tell them I like them
not what they do, perhaps,
like you,
but still, they’re mine
I like them.
Get used to it.
You sulk?!?
You dare to sulk
to whine, and moan and groan,
because
they are mine!?
You think
you know
anything?
3 days in the belly taught you nothing?
Resurrected in vomit
I should have left you
there.
To get used to it.
I am.
I love.
Below.
Above.
Here
there.
Everywhere.
Get used to it.
