May the name of our Savior Jesus Christ be blessed forever.Welcome as we learn the Word of God, which is the light of our path and the lamp to our feet.
If you are a Bible reader, you remember the story of the prophet Jonah and how he ran away from the presence of the Lord and went toward Tarshish. But have you ever asked yourself: What kind of city was Tarshish?
We know Nineveh was the capital of Assyria—but what about Tarshish?
Let us briefly learn about this city, and then we will discover a lesson that can help us in these dangerous times.
Tarshish was a city located in Tyre, in what is now Lebanon—a country north of Israel, just as Kenya is north of Tanzania today.
During the time of the kings of Israel, Tyre (Lebanon), whose major city was Tarshish, was the greatest commercial center of the time. It was famous for having many trading ships and great expertise in commerce.
The Bible says:
Ezekiel 27:12 — “Tarshish was your merchant because of your great wealth of every kind; with silver, iron, tin and lead they traded for your goods.”
Jeremiah 10:9 — “Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz…”
The cedar wood used to build Solomon’s first temple came from Lebanon. There was no other place where such timber was found. Much of the raw material for the temple came from Tyre/Tarshish and was transported by sea.
Even the gold Solomon used came from there:
1 Kings 10:21–23 —“All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were gold… silver was considered of little value in Solomon’s days. The king had ships of Tarshish at sea… bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.”
Tarshish also had highly skilled sailors and builders. Many craftsmen for Solomon’s temple came from Lebanon.
Understanding Tarshish helps us understand Jonah.
When God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach, Jonah instead boarded a ship to Tarshish.
Why travel by sea when there was a land route?Because Tarshish was a business city.
Jonah likely chose business as a way to escape God’s calling. Instead of going to preach, he chose commerce and profit.
Tarshish was not a tourist city—it was a commercial hub.
As we know, disaster struck the ship:
His escape plan failed.
Do not run from God’s voice today.If God is telling you to do something, do not ignore Him and run into business instead.
Jonah was fortunate that God stopped him and redirected him. God could have chosen someone else to preach in Nineveh while Jonah became wealthy—but died without fulfilling God’s purpose for his life.
Many people today are running to Tarshish:
But neglecting:
You travel constantly for business, but never fast or seek God.You build money, but not heavenly treasure.Nations know you. Banks know you.But heaven does not know you.
Many say: “I want to study the Word, but I’m busy.”“I want to go to church, but work is overwhelming.”
This is very dangerous.
Are you running to Tarshish while abandoning Nineveh?
Jesus said:
“Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Repent today. Reduce the distractions of life that pull you away from God.
Luke 21:34–36 —“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness, and the cares of this life… Be always on the watch, and pray.”
Take action today.May the Lord bless you.
Maranatha!
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