Jonah 1:3

Rose up. Jonah arose, not to obey God, but to disobey Him. Like the rich young ruler, he would not surrender his own will to the will of God (Matt. 19:21, 22). Like “many” of the Lord’s “disciples,” Jonah found God’s command too “hard” to bear, and so, like them, he felt that in this instance at least he would not walk “with him” (John 6:60, 66). The prophet failed to realize that when God places a burden upon men to be discharged according to His pleasure, He strengthens them to bear it. With every divine command there comes the power to fulfill it. The prophet made the mistake of not putting “first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (see Matt. 6:33). Because he disliked the mission he was charged to undertake, he was willing to separate himself from God’s service, thus putting himself in a position where, but for the divine intervening grace, he might have lost his soul.

Tarshish. It is generally agreed that Tarshish was the classical Tartessus on the southern coast of Spain. It was proverbial for its wealth, and carried on an extensive export trade with the Phoenician city of Tyre and other lands in silver, iron, tin, and lead (see Eze. 27:12). In that distant, busy place Jonah hoped to escape from his duty, and to still the voice of conscience.

From the presence. Literally, “from before the face of the Lord.” How impossible an undertaking (see Ps. 139:7–12)!

To Joppa. The present-day Jaffa, on the sea about 34 mi. (54.4 km.) northwest of Jerusalem, and one of the world’s oldest cities. It was the only harbor of any importance that belonged to the Jews. Through Joppa was brought to Jerusalem the timber for Solomon’s Temple (see 2 Chron. 2:16), and also that for its restoration (see Ezra 3:7).