The Journey Begun by Bruce Judisch Read Free Book Online

that understanding that [B8]   condemned it. If Adonai sent a message to repent, there was a chance the people would repent. Repent? This was Assyria! How could Adonai have any message for Assyria other than obliteration? Why would they even listen? Jonah paused as this question pushed another thought to the front of his mind. Of course! That was it! Assyria wouldn’t listen. They would never comply. This was surely a message of condemnation and Jonah was to be the messenger! What could be better? What could be…better? Surely they won’t repent…they wouldn’t…couldn’t.
    “But…what if they do?”
    The doubt tightened its grip until he grimaced with pain. They won’t! Besides, I have to go. I have to…
    Still, he couldn’t ignore the niggling uncertainty. Despite efforts to suppress them, nagging thoughts of denial penetrated him to the core. The need to obey and the urge to resist vied for dominance like two of his rams contesting the same territory. He felt helpless to do anything but watch the battle, until one of the rams backed off and turned to meet his mind’s eye. He jolted as the animal’s form melted into that of a fallen Israelite soldier lying in a pool along the banks of the Kishon River.
    “No!” He choked the forbidden word. The final rap of his knuckles split the skin. “If I ever set foot on Assyrian soil may my legs shrivel and die!” He shoved away from the table, slamming his back against the wall. Nineveh! Never! He slid to the floor and clenched his knees to his chest, struggling for a full breath to clear his mind. His right hand slipped under his shirt and clutched the gold disc. The hard metal forced a tear from the corner of his eye.
    Jonah sat rigid, his mind at war with his heart. He fought with the angel: “You’re to preach in Assyria.” I spit on Assyria!
    He fought with his father: “Learn the Scriptures.” Where is this written in the Scriptures?
    He fought with his mother: “We all have sins for which to repent.” There are sins which cannot be forgiven!
    He fought with himself: “Adonai will have mercy where He will have mercy.” There are those who are just evil and deserve to die!
    Jonah heaved himself to his feet and stalked to the window. He glared at the darkening hillside. This is Israel! This soil and these rocks are ha eretz. They alone are Adonai’s. Israel alone is His, not Assyria— never Assyria! Jonah gripped the window sill. You have no business with the Assyrians, unless it’s to exterminate them! I will not go! His revulsion to the thought of disobeying disappeared into the dark corners of his mind. I will not preach repentance! Salvation is not for them to have!
    He smacked the window frame and swung around to see Ehud filling the doorway, a torch in his hand, a puzzled look on his face. “Jonah, what is it? What are you doing?”
    Jonah glared at the floor. Shadows from the flickering torchlight cavorted with the lesser shades from the oil lamp like impish demons frolicking in and out of cracks and knotholes in the wall. The rebellious prophet’s dark outline shimmered with them.
    “Jonah?”
    “Nothing!”
    “Nothing? Don’t give me that. I could hear your pounding around all the way down by the house.” Ehud propped his arm against the doorframe and waited.
    Jonah pressed his fists to his eyes and rubbed, but didn’t answer.
    Ehud saw the split skin on his brother’s knuckles in the dim torchlight. He walked over and grabbed Jonah’s wrist to survey the damage.
    Jonah jerked his arm free. “Don’t!” Pushing past his brother, he whipped his apron off the table.
    “What’s gotten into you?” Ehud’s eyes narrowed at the window cover ripped from the wall, now lying in a pile on the floor.
    “I told you. Nothing.” Jonah grabbed the pouch containing his skinning knife and sharpening stone from their peg. Shaking, he fumbled with the flap, wrestling with the thong binding.
    His brother whirled on him. “That’s right!