Your Story Hour

Uncle Jon: Hi kids, this is Uncle Jon.

Aunt Carole: And Aunt Carole. Hello everyone, and welcome. We're so glad to be with you again.

Uncle Jon: Today we have an exciting book for you. Yes, you heard me correctly, I did say book.

Aunt Carole: That's because this story is actually a whole book of the Bible. You can read it for yourself later. It's a short book in the Old Testament called Jonah. But right now, just close your eyes and let your imagination put you in the picture as we bring you the story of "The Man Who Ran From God."

Guest (Male): The story of the man who ran away from God and his adventures took place hundreds of years ago when Judah and Israel were kingdoms under the leadership and protection of God. One day.

Aminadab: A delicious dinner, Abigail.

Abigail: Thank you, my husband. But then tonight is a special occasion. After all, it isn't often that we have the prophet Jonah as our guest.

Aminadab: Indeed, and we are honored, Jonah, sir.

Jonah: Thank you, Aminadab. Your hospitality and the charm of your lovely wife are known throughout Israel.

Abigail: I'm told, Jonah, sir, that you have just left the King's summer palace.

Jonah: That's true. I was sent there with a message from heaven for the king. But now, I am en route back to my home in Gath-hepher of Galilee. King Jeroboam II is a mighty monarch, as was his great-grandfather, Jehu. He's built a great army of warriors for Israel, and he continually leads them to victory against our enemies.

Abigail: Still, I sometimes wonder. All the war. Can God be pleased? Wouldn't it be so much better if we lived in peace?

Aminadab: There, Jonah, you see how little women understand these things. But seriously, Jonah, sir, why not prophesy about the hated King of Nineveh? Prophesy that he and his city will meet some horrible disaster.

But why not? The word of a true prophet of God has never failed, never. If you prophesied evil to him, it would have to come to pass.

Jonah: Aminadab, you misunderstand the work of a prophet.

Aminadab: What do you mean, sir?

Jonah: Well, first, a true prophet can prophesy only when God speaks to him. Secondly, he must speak exactly what God tells him—not a word more, not a word less.

Aminadab: Well, nevertheless, they are an evil, heathen nation. They worship abominable idols. I'm sure God hates them.

Abigail: Aminadab, that's not true. Jehovah is a great, kind God. He loves everyone everywhere.

Aminadab: Even our enemies? Even Nineveh? No, I can't believe that.

Jonah: Cheer up, Aminadab. I think I have a bit of information that will please you. As you know, we prophets are not supposed to be partisan, but privately—now, quite privately, mind you—I share your feelings about Nineveh. Aminadab, I despise them, utterly despise them.

Just between us, I feel—well, now I can't tell you how I know, for we prophets of God must keep many things secret—but I feel that a certain message concerning Nineveh will be given to me by heaven any day now.

Aminadab: And may Israel be rid of her enemy Nineveh forever. Well, now, I must bid you goodnight. Until I see you again, may the blessings of heaven rest upon this dwelling and upon your sons and daughters, Aminadab.

Aminadab: Thank you, Jonah.

Abigail: Do come again, Jonah, sir. We are your humble servants.

Jonah: Goodbye.

Aminadab: Goodbye, sir.

Guest (Male): The prophet of God, Jonah, dwelt in the town of Gath-hepher. Here, he carried on his customary duties. One evening.

Angel of the Lord: Jonah! Jonah!

Jonah: Who is it?

Angel of the Lord: Look here in the flame ascending above the altar.

Jonah: Angel, the Angel of the Lord.

Angel of the Lord: I bear you a message from heaven, Jonah.

Jonah: Speak, Angel. I delight to hear the will of the Lord.

Angel of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord God, the Lord of hosts: Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it, for their wickedness is come up before me.

Jonah: Thank you, Angel. At last, the prophecy I awaited so long. May all the enemies of Israel so perish. When shall I depart?

Angel of the Lord: Immediately.

Jonah: Good. I shall preach this message. I shall preach it mightily, and then Jehovah shall destroy them. They shall never more—but Angel, peradventure they believe my message?

What if the people of Nineveh repent of their sins and turn from their evil ways? Would God destroy them? Shall the prophecy still come to pass? Would the Lord God spare the heathen and have mercy upon the avowed enemies of his people, Israel? Oh, Jonah, man of God, knowest thou not the scriptures? Hath not God said, "I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy"?

But Angel, should God spare the Ninevites, I would be called a false prophet and—he's gone.

Guest (Male): That stern and patriotic man of God, the prophet Jonah, has learned of God's purpose to destroy the wicked city of Nineveh. As a prophet of God, he is charged with the responsibility of carrying the fearful message to the people of Nineveh.

But instead of immediately setting out upon his journey, he allows his mind to dwell upon the possibility of his being regarded as a false prophet.

Jonah: All Israel and Judah acknowledge that no prophecy of mine has ever failed to come to pass. Yet, if I preach Nineveh's doom and it doesn't come about, people will lose confidence in me.

Guest (Male): Jealous of his reputation and becoming discouraged, Jonah loses sight of the infinitely greater value of souls in that wretched city of Nineveh. He determines upon a bold plan, a daring plan.

Jonah: Yes, that's what I'll do. I'll run away. Rather than preach to Nineveh and have it repent, rather than see those vile people spared, I shall leave Israel forever. I'll flee, I'll disguise myself and run away. But where? Over the sea? Yes, that's it. I'll take a ship. Jehovah will never be able to find me. Tomorrow, I will leave tomorrow.

Guest (Male): So Jonah rose up to flee from the presence of the Lord and went down to Joppa, and he found a ship going to Tarshish.

Jonah: Are you the shipmaster?

Captain Ahab: I am. Sailors call me Captain Ahab, and I've no time to talk with you. We're loading an expensive cargo, sailing in an hour.

Jonah: I'd like to go with you.

Captain Ahab: Sorry.

Jonah: What do you mean?

Captain Ahab: I mean we can't take you on.

Jonah: Please, I must get out of Joppa. I'm willing to pay you well. Here, take this money.

Captain Ahab: Six, nine, 10 pieces of gold here.

Jonah: Take them, only let me sail with you.

Captain Ahab: Just a minute. You have a strange look about you.

Jonah: Twelve pieces of gold, shipmaster.

Captain Ahab: Thirteen perhaps?

Jonah: Rogue, you'll take 12 and nothing. I'd rather—

Captain Ahab: No, no, sir, don't be angry. I meant no offense. A poor fellow has to fish for all he can get these days, you know. Twelve gold pieces it is. Good. My men will help you with your baggage. Sailor!

Guest (Male): Aye, sir.

Captain Ahab: Another passenger's joined us. Take his belongings below and see to it that he's made comfortable with the other passengers.

Jonah: This captain has seen me often, but he doesn't suspect a thing. And none of these rough, ignorant sailors will suspect that I'm a prophet either. I'll get to Tarshish in several months, travel overland from there. Where are you going, Jonah? Why, I don't know. But I am leaving forever, and Jehovah, the Lord God of Israel, will never be able to find me. Never.

Guest (Male): Jonah, fleeing from the command of God, is on his way across the great sea. It'll be a good trip, first mate. The weather's fine.

First Mate: Yes, Captain, things are getting along smoothly. Should be one of our best sailings.

Guest (Male): Two days passed uneventfully, and a third day. Then night fell. All was calm. The ship, with its slave oarsmen dipping their oars rhythmically into the blue sea, sailed sleekly over the waves, and above, the stars shone peacefully down. But suddenly.

First Mate: Captain, you hear that?

Captain Ahab: What? You're as jumpy as a cat tonight.

First Mate: That noise, like the rushing of a wind.

Captain Ahab: I don't hear any wind. Imagining things. Most peaceful night I've seen in 20 years as a shipmaster. You need some sleep.

Guest (Male): Minutes pass, and the two men, Captain Ahab and the first mate, silently keep watch.

First Mate: Captain Ahab, there, you hear?

Captain Ahab: What is it, man? You're as white as a sheet.

First Mate: I heard it, I heard it.

Captain Ahab: You're actually trembling with fright. What is it, first mate? Tell me.

First Mate: I feel some terrible disaster is about to swallow us alive.

Captain Ahab: Yes, I feel it too, a kind of doom hovering over us. I don't hear anything, but I've felt uneasy the last two nights, as though an eye—the eye of the god Baal, perhaps—were peering down on my ship, sweeping over it fore and aft, searching, searching for something or someone.

First Mate: Captain Ahab, I'm afraid.

Captain Ahab: Courage, sailor. Night will soon be over. Maybe we can escape this feeling. Our fears are often only phantoms of the mind.

Guest (Male): Hours pass. Weary with their watch, the captain and the first mate fall asleep. A deadly trance comes over the oarsmen, and the oars slip mysteriously from their grasp. From out of the southern sky, as if driven by an invisible shepherd, inky black clouds gather, tumbling and scurrying along. Sleeping fitfully, the first mate, as he tosses and turns, seems to hear a voice, a thunderous voice calling.

Angel of the Lord: Jonah! Jonah! Jonah!

Jonah: No, no! Trouble, trouble!

First Mate: Captain! Captain! Captain Ahab!

Captain Ahab: What? What is it, mate?

First Mate: We're going to have a storm. Look at that sky. I've never seen it so black and threatening. Oarsmen, they're all asleep in a stupor. I'll wake them up. Hurry, hurry!

Aunt Nikki: Oh, Uncle Jon, I have the shivers. It must have been terrifying to be on that ship.

Uncle Jon: I can easily imagine it was. Boys and girls, did you imagine you were there too? Listening to the story makes you feel that way, only it's a lot drier and safer than being there for real.

Aunt Carole: Sure is. You know, lots of kids and adults write in to say they feel they're right in there when they're listening to our Bible stories.

Uncle Jon: It is fun to kind of put yourself in the picture, so to speak, and we have lots of Bible stories available to help you do just that.

Aunt Carole: Let's see. You could cross the Red Sea with the children of Israel.

Uncle Jon: Or watch Jesus heal the lepers and raise Lazarus from the dead.

Aunt Nikki: Imagine being with Paul when he was struck blind on the road to Damascus.

Uncle Jon: Well, we could go on and on, but you get the idea.

Aunt Carole: If you'd like a complete listing of our stories ready for downloading or available in CD albums, just call us toll-free at 1-800-987-7879. That's 1-800-987-7879.

Uncle Jon: Or visit our website at YourStoryHour.org and try out our search engine to find a story that meets your needs. You can even order it and download it right there.

Aunt Carole: And now let's return to today's story, "The Man Who Ran From God."

Guest (Male): The prophet Jonah, fleeing from God, has boarded a ship sailing for Tarshish. On board the ship, he thinks he has finally escaped from God. But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea so that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid and cried every man unto his god.

Captain Ahab: First mate, jettison the cargo! Let every oarsman and passenger pray. Tell them to stretch forth their arms to heaven.

First Mate: Everyone is accounted for in praying, Captain Ahab, except one man—that strange fellow who came on board just before we put to sea.

Captain Ahab: Where is he?

First Mate: He's asleep, sir.

Captain Ahab: Asleep in a raging storm like this? Why, the man must be bewitched. Where is he? Where is he?

First Mate: Below deck, Captain. I tell you, mate, we must have a devil on board. Never have I seen such peril. Have the men cast lots to see if we can find out whom the gods seek aboard this ship. In the meantime, I'll go down and awaken him. We need his help. Asleep?

Guest (Male): Down in the hold of the ship, the captain discovers Jonah, fast asleep.

Captain Ahab: Wake up! Wake up!

Jonah: Who is it?

Captain Ahab: Get up, man! Get up! How can you sleep when we're in the midst of the worst storm in history? Arise and call upon your God.

Jonah: Did you say storm, Captain?

Captain Ahab: Yes, I said storm! Why, in all my years at sea, I—why are you looking at me like that? I knew it. Something warned me from the first time I laid eyes on you back there at the dock in Joppa. Who are you?

Jonah: You're right, Captain Ahab. I'm Jonah, the prophet Jonah. And this violent storm is on my account. You see, a week ago, God commanded me to go to Nineveh with a message of destruction, but instead, I decided to run away. I determined to flee on your ship to Tarshish.

Captain Ahab: So that's it. And now, your God is going to visit the destruction meant for Nineveh on us, on my ship and these poor, guiltless sailors and passengers.

Jonah: No, Captain. I know just what to do.

Captain Ahab: What, man? What?

Jonah: Toss me overboard.

Captain Ahab: Toss you out into that raging sea?

Jonah: Yes, Captain, it's the only way. God doesn't want your lives. He's seeking me.

Captain Ahab: I'll do it. I'm sorry, Jonah, but it seems to be the only way. I've got to protect the lives of my sailors and passengers.

Guest (Male): So they took up Jonah and cast him forth into the sea.

First Mate: There he goes, Captain. Poor Jonah. Oarsmen have just flung him—Captain! Captain Ahab!

Captain Ahab: Steady, mate, steady. What? What's wrong?

First Mate: That hulk rising out of the sea! It's horrible. It's straight for Jonah. What a monster. So ugly. No, no! It's swallowing Jonah!

Guest (Male): The Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah: Who can escape thee, O Jehovah, Lord God of hosts? I've sinned and been disobedient. But if thou wilt deliver me—if you will deliver me from the stomach of this great fish, I will go to Nineveh. I will go to Nineveh and preach.

Guest (Male): Jonah repents of his great sin. He vows to obey Jehovah, and the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon dry land.

Jonah: Hear, O ye people of Nineveh! Listen to what Jehovah, the God of heaven, declares! Yet 40 days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!

Guest (Male): Who is that man? What's he saying? The King's speed messengers to him!

Chamberlain: Oh, great King, descendant of Nimrod the mighty, a strange man has appeared at the gates of the city, prophesying doom to you and to your people!

King of Nineveh: (Laughs) I have no time to listen to madmen raving their grotesque fantasies. We are busy, Chamberlain, preparing for the festivities of the evening. Tonight, I entertain the visiting Queen of Babylon, and on our royal person, she bestows the most heavenly smile.

Chamberlain: But sire, this stranger is tall and commanding in appearance and he is stirring up the people. There is a great tumult through the city. He proclaims that in 40 days, Nineveh will be wiped out like Sodom and Gomorrah, I suppose.

King of Nineveh: Yes, yes, like Sodom and Gomorrah, Your Majesty. How did you know? Doesn't every soothsayer say as much? Don't they all use the same old ruse to frighten the people? Well, he's probably harmless enough.

My good man, if I became upset every time an old fossil clad in rags cried, "Doom, doom," I'd—slave, hand me my golden sandals and slip them—easy. That bunion.

Chamberlain: Your Majesty.

King of Nineveh: Chamberlain, can't you see I'm busy?

Chamberlain: Well, I thought you might like to know the nationality of this strange prophet.

King of Nineveh: Well?

Chamberlain: He's a Hebrew, Your Majesty.

King of Nineveh: A Hebrew? A Hebrew prophet here in Nineveh? I see. Slave, you may go.

Chamberlain: Your Majesty is pale, trembling. Shall I get a goblet of—

King of Nineveh: No, I'll be all right. Just let me sit down here a moment. Now, tell me, what does this strange man say concerning me and my kingdom? Well, speak up!

Chamberlain: He predicts that 40 days from now, Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews, will rain down destruction from heaven on you and on the people of Nineveh.

King of Nineveh: But why? I'm a good man. I've always tried to do right—whenever it was convenient, of course.

Chamberlain: Punishment for our crimes, the prophet says. Our great crimes, which have come to the attention of the Lord of hosts.

King of Nineveh: I—oh, no, it can't be. Nineveh destroyed in 40 days? Why, we are the greatest city, the greatest people since—by the way, Chamberlain, what is this prophet's name?

Chamberlain: Your Majesty, the prophet's name is Jonah.

King of Nineveh: Jonah. I've heard of him. Never has a prophecy of that man failed. His word is the word of truth.

Chamberlain: Quite correct, Your Majesty.

King of Nineveh: Then what he says about me and my people is true. We have sinned against God and provoked him to anger. Chamberlain, send messengers to every corner of the city! Proclaim a fast! Tell the people to repent of their grievous sins and implore heaven for pity! I will even humble myself before God in sackcloth and ashes. Now, hurry! We haven't much time!

Guest (Male): So the people of Nineveh believed God and proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even unto the least of them. And God saw their works that they turned from their evil way, and God repented of the evil that he had said that he would do unto them, and he did it not.

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. Jonah went out of the city. When he reached the East Gate, he sat down and waited.

Jonah: God has spared these vile Ninevites and their king, spared these creatures who have done so much harm to Judah and Israel. Jehovah knew that I hated them, and yet he spared them! Why? Why?

Angel of the Lord: Thus is fulfilled the word of the Lord, O Jonah! I will exalt my name among the heathen! The heathen shall fear the name of the Lord!

Jonah: Yes, Angel, but what of me? What of me? God doesn't care anything about me and my reputation. Every word that I have uttered has come true up till now. God commanded me to forecast Nineveh's doom. I did it, and now, he won't destroy it!

Guest (Male): Sorrowfully, filled with embarrassment and self-pity, Jonah continues to sit in the scorching sun on the hillside at the East Gate of the city, hoping against hope that Jehovah will change his mind and really destroy Nineveh.

So hot is the plain of Nineveh, so blistering is the sun, that Jonah nearly faints with heat and exhaustion.

Jonah: It's so hot, so hot here. If only there were some shade in this place. There isn't a single tree, nothing.

Guest (Male): Through an angel, God endeavors to teach the proud prophet a lesson. Using the sultry weather as a means, God miraculously causes to spring from the parched earth an exotic climbing plant called a gourd. It shoots up to a height of eight or ten feet.

Jonah is grateful for the gourd, for it provides him shade. Mystified, Jonah watches it rear higher and higher, spreading its leaves over him.

Jonah: Oh, that gourd. Bless that gourd. It's so cooling and shady. I shall be able to wait comfortably here at the gate of Nineveh.

Guest (Male): But the angel of the Lord prepared a worm when morning came, and the worm smote the gourd, causing it to wither. And it came to pass when the sun did arise that God prepared a vehement east wind, and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, causing him again to faint with the heat.

Jonah: The gourd! The gourd, it's withered up! The sun is hot, so blisteringly hot. I feel faint.

Angel of the Lord: Jonah! Jonah!

Jonah: Angel, Angel, you've come back. I'm so glad to see you. But this heat—this heat is terrible. Yesterday, a gourd sprang up and I found shelter under it, but—

Angel of the Lord: What happened to the gourd, Jonah?

Jonah: A worm, a giant worm came, caused the gourd to wither overnight. The lovely gourd, the worm destroyed it.

Angel of the Lord: Are you angry? Angry because the worm destroyed the gourd, Jonah?

Jonah: Yes, I'm angry, mortally angry!

Angel of the Lord: Hear ye the word of the Lord, Jonah. You have had pity on the gourd, on a mere plant. You didn't toil for it. You spent no labor upon it, yet you didn't like to see it destroyed. What about human beings, Jonah? Are they not more valuable than a mere plant?

And should not the Lord God spare Nineveh, that great city wherein are more than six score thousand people that cannot discern between their right hand and their right hand?

Guest (Male): Jonah should have rejoiced because of God's amazing grace, but instead, he allowed his mind to dwell upon the possibility of his being regarded as a false prophet. Jealous of his reputation, he lost sight of the infinitely greater value of the souls in that wretched city.

Uncle Jon: Amen. That's good advice for all of us.

Aunt Carole: That's for sure. Just in case you didn't have pen and paper handy and missed getting our phone number, here it is again.

Uncle Jon: It's 1-800-987-7879, and our website is at YourStoryHour.org.

Aunt Carole: Well, bye for now.

Uncle Jon: And do remember, God loves you.

Aunt Carole: This is Aunt Carole and Uncle Jon saying goodbye everyone. See you again next time!