While obviously preferring obedience, there are times when parents allow their children to experience the consequences of their disobedience. So it is with God and his children. He has been clear in his parental instruction, inviting us to enjoy the abundant life he offers and warning us against activities that will rob us of it. And when we disobey—and we do disobey, don’t we?—there are times he wisely and lovingly allows us to experience the consequences of our disobedience.
As we begin our study of the book of Jonah, we find an example of just that. Jonah disobeys the Lord and is then allowed to experience the consequences of that rebellion. So, this prophet ends up serving as a negative example to us and a reminder as to what’s at stake when God calls you and I to obey his voice.
Key Passage: Jonah 1:1–17
Speaker: Josiah Boyd
