break with past relationships and to begin a new life outside those relationships. It is possible to “flee” from a person or a community, but only of Jonah is it said that he intended to flee from the presence of the Lord. Jonah discovered that it is impossible to escape God’s presence. Psalm 139 puts the matter clearly: Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there! (Ps. 139:7–8) Jonah’s