The Reluctant Prophet -- No 12. Jonah 1:8-13. JONAH'S FIRST WORDS These are the first recorded words of Jonah. 1. He identifies himself. Verse 9. He speaks of his privileged nationality, his personal faith and his prophetic calling. 2. He indictes himself. He tells them of his running away in disobedience, verse 10. He was a runaway but he still feared God. His chastening shows he is not a castaway, Heb 12:6-7. 3. He exonerates God. "My sake", verse 12. 4. Resulting fear of the sailors. If God should deal so with His own, what of them? JONAH'S DIRECTIONS TO THE SAILORS "And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you," verse 12. It was not enough for Jonah to confess his sin. 1. The cause of God's anger must be put away. Isaiah 55:7, 2 Chron 7:14. 2. Note man's resistance to such a truth. Verse 13. They sought to row to the shore and land Jonah rather than comply with God's servant's demand. 3. Note Jonah's willingness to die for the sake of the sailors. This the Spirit of Christ which should be manifest in every believer. "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved," 2 Cor 12:15.