מדרש אויף יונה 1:3

Know that the Shechinah is not revealed outside the land. For it is written (Jonah 1:3) "And Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish, etc." Now can one flee from the L–rd? Is it not written (Psalms 139:7-10) "Where can I flee from Your presence … If I ascend to heaven, You are there, etc. If I take wing with the dawn, there, too, Your hand will lead me," (Zechariah 4:10) "the eyes of the L–rd range the entire land," (Mishlei 15:3) "The eyes of the L–rd see the bad and the good," (Amos 9:2) "though they dig into Sheol, though they hide in the top of the Carmel, though they go into captivity (Job 34:22) "There is no darkness nor shadow of death, etc." Rather, Jonah's intent was: I will go outside the land, where the Shechinah does not repose and reveal itself. For the gentiles are close to repentance — so that they not make Israel (who do not repent) liable (by invidious contrast). An analogy: The bondsman of a Cohein flees from his master, saying: I will go to the cemetery, a place where my master cannot come after me. His master: I have (messengers) like you. Thus, Jonah said: I will go outside the land, a place where the Shechinah is not revealed. For the gentiles are close to repentance, (this, so as not to render Israel liable by invidious contrast.) The Holy One responds: I have many messengers like you, viz. (Jonah 1:4) "Then the L–rd cast a great wind on the sea, etc."

Jonah claimed the honor of the son, but not the honor of the Father. What is stated in that regard? (Jonah 1:3) "And the word of the L–rd came to Jonah a second time, saying." What is the intent of this? We will speak with him a second time, but not a third, (for he did not claim the honor of the L–rd).

Another interpretation: “Moses went” – that is what is written: “He is one; who can respond to Him” (Job 23:13). Rabbi Pinḥas expounded: Because He is one in the world, He judges all mankind alone, and no one can overturn His words Shir HaShirim Rabba, Parasha 1>. Our Rabbis said: What is “He is one; who can respond to Him”? Whatever He issues as a decree on a person, there is no overturning His words.
How much did Bilam seek to curse Israel, but against his will and against his best interests he would bless them, as it is stated: “How will I curse if God has not cursed?” (Numbers 23:8).
How much did Jonah seek not to go on the mission of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “He went down to Yafo, and found a ship going to Tarshish” (Jonah 1:3), and he went against his will, as it is stated: “Jonah arose and went to Nineveh” (Jonah 3:3).
How much did Jeremiah seek not to prophesy, and he prophesied against his best interests, as it is stated: “Do not say I am a lad, because to wherever I will send you, you shall go” (Jeremiah 1:7).
How much did Moses seek not to go on the mission of the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Send, please, by means of whom You will send” (Exodus 4:13), but ultimately, he went against his will, as it is stated: “Moses went and returned to Yeter his father-in-law.”⁵The phrase “Moses went” is not referring to his going to Yitro, as the word “went” would have been unnecessary. The verse is therefore alluding to the fact that although Moses did not go right away, ultimately it was impossible for him not to carry out his mission.