Introduction

The term "backslider" refers to someone who has turned away from their faith or commitment to God. In the Bible, Jonah is a prominent example of a backslider, as he initially disobeys God's command and attempts to flee from his divine mission. The account of Jonah is found in the Book of Jonah, a part of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. Jonah's narrative provides a profound lesson on obedience, repentance, and God's mercy.

Jonah's Call and Disobedience

Jonah, the son of Amittai, is called by God to go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. The Lord's command is clear: "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me" (Jonah 1:2). However, Jonah chooses to disobey God and attempts to flee to Tarshish, a city in the opposite direction. He boards a ship in Joppa, seeking to escape "from the presence of the LORD" (Jonah 1:3).

The Storm and Jonah's Repentance

As Jonah sails away, the Lord sends a great storm upon the sea, threatening to destroy the ship. The sailors, fearing for their lives, cast lots to determine who is responsible for the calamity, and the lot falls on Jonah. Jonah confesses his disobedience, saying, "I am a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land" (Jonah 1:9). Recognizing his sin, Jonah instructs the sailors to throw him into the sea to calm the storm. Reluctantly, they comply, and the sea ceases its raging.

Jonah's Time in the Fish

The Lord appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he remains in its belly for three days and three nights. During this time, Jonah prays to God, acknowledging his distress and expressing repentance. He cries out, "In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice" (Jonah 2:2). Jonah's prayer reflects a heart turning back to God, recognizing His sovereignty and mercy.

Jonah's Obedience and Nineveh's Repentance

After three days, the Lord commands the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land. God again instructs Jonah to go to Nineveh, and this time, Jonah obeys. He enters the city and proclaims, "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned!" (Jonah 3:4). The people of Nineveh believe God, declare a fast, and put on sackcloth as a sign of repentance. Even the king of Nineveh rises from his throne, covers himself with sackcloth, and issues a decree for the entire city to turn from their evil ways.

God's Mercy and Jonah's Anger

Seeing Nineveh's repentance, God relents from the disaster He had planned to bring upon them. However, Jonah becomes angry at God's mercy, revealing his struggle with understanding divine compassion. He prays, "O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster" (Jonah 4:2).

Lessons from Jonah's Backsliding

Jonah's account illustrates the consequences of disobedience and the depth of God's mercy. Despite Jonah's initial rebellion, God provides opportunities for repentance and restoration. Jonah's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's will with God's purposes and the transformative power of divine grace. Through Jonah, believers are encouraged to trust in God's plan, even when it challenges personal prejudices or fears.Jonah 2:1
Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
Nave's Topical Index

Jonah 3:1
And the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Perseverance of Saints.
... When backsliders are emboldened by this doctrine and rendered presumptuous, it is
never by any ... To this I reply, that in the case of Jonah, it is manifest from ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

Sleep Not
... Many backsliders will die thanking God, if ever their strength returns to them,
and perhaps it never may till their dying ... I beg you not to sleep, as did Jonah. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/sleep not.htm

The Two Yokes
... Jonah would resist the word of the Lord that came to him, saying, "Arise, go to
Nineveh," but ... The principle of our text is very applicable to all backsliders. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the two yokes.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... Jonah prayed, and was delivered from the power of the fish ... to the extent of his
requirement; that afflicted saints may be comforted, backsliders reclaimed, and ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

Enduring to the End
... unto young converts, sternly to rebuke hypocrites, to deal faithfully with backsliders,
to speak ... devil will say to me sometimes, as he did to Jonah, "Flee thou ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/enduring to the end.htm

The Christian Described
... belly, and came out again alive, but backsliding and returning Jonah; consequently
no ... that though God doth sometimes, yea, often, receive backsliders, yet it ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

What does it mean to backslide? | GotQuestions.org

Is a backsliding Christian still saved? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about the Christian Life (All) | GotQuestions.org

Backslider: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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