READ
REFLECT
Bomb disposal technicians must be precise in their work. A single mistake could cause serious or fatal injury. They follow their training and draw on their experience to stay focused on the task. If they don’t, they could risk their own lives or bystanders’ lives.
But precision is also important in our personal lives, jobs, and relationships with others.
For example, if we’re not precise in our communication, we can easily misunderstand each other. This can lead to conflict, hurt feelings, and even broken relationships. Similarly, if we’re not precise in our work, we can make mistakes that cost us time, money, or even our jobs.
In our faith, precision is also important. If we’re not precise in our understanding of God’s Word, we can easily misinterpret it and end up believing things that aren’t true. This can lead to a distorted view of God and His plan for our lives.
So, whether in a dangerous job or not, we must be precise in all aspects of our lives. This will help us avoid mistakes, build strong relationships, and grow our faith.
Moses and Jonah were given precise instructions from God, but they responded in very different ways.
Moses was instructed to build the Tabernacle according to a detailed pattern that God showed him. Moses followed God’s instructions carefully, and the Tabernacle was a beautiful and functional structure.
Jonah was instructed to go to Nineveh and preach to the people about their wickedness. God told Jonah that he would spare them from destruction if the people repented. Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh, so he tried to run away. He boarded a ship bound for Tarshish, but God sent a great storm that caused the boat to be tossed about on the sea. The sailors feared they would all die, so they threw Jonah overboard. Jonah was swallowed by a great fish (or whale), and he remained in the belly of the fish for three days and nights.
Jonah eventually prayed to God for forgiveness, and the fish vomited him onto dry land. Jonah then went to Nineveh and preached to the people, and they did repent. God spared Nineveh from destruction. This story is an excellent example of why we must follow God precisely as Christians.
RESPOND
1. Read the Book of Jonah. Write down what you feel about how he handled the situation.
