Jonah 1:7-8

Jonah 1:7-8 (ESV): “7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?””

Divine exposure is a humbling experience. God loves us immensely; therefore, He will go to whatever means necessary to confront our sinfulness.

After receiving the call to go to Nineveh, Jonah got on a boat in Joppa and set sail for Tarshish. He was in sin for doing so. Thus, the Lord sent a great tempest on the sea to get Jonah’s attention. The mariners were so afraid that they began crying out to their gods, while Jonah descended into the belly of the boat. They found him asleep and told him to get up and cry out to his God. Then they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. He was exposed! The Lord was not going to let him walk in his sin without divine confrontation.

Has God ever exposed you before? He does so because sin destroys us. It is the loving nature of God to confront us when we are walking on dark paths. He wants what is best for us; therefore, He does not remain silent when we walk in ways that are harmful to ourselves and others. Heed His still, small voice lest you force Him to expose you publicly. Amen?

Father, thank You for confronting us when we are walking in sinful ways. Help us to heed Your voice, lest we find ourselves going to even darker places. Save us from ourselves, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.