As we learned in Jonah 2, our failure to obey God could further prolong the forfeiture of God’s grace to those whom God is seeking to restore to Him. We are God’s direct link to reaching others with His love. We are the most immediate remedy to those who are forfeiting God’s grace. This requires obedience on our part.
Jonah vowed to be obedient so God once again gives Jonah direction:
"Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." Jonah 3:2 (NIV)
Jonah obeys immediately this time and possibly with a little reluctance but we can discuss that in chapter four.
The amazing thing about this story is how one man goes and proclaims a message of repentance to a city of 120,000 and they respond with repentance and remorse for their sins. I do not know the complete message given by Jonah. The only part we are given is "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned." (Jonah 3:4, NIV). If someone pronounced this to the United States, what do think the reaction would be? How did people react when Pat Robertson said that God still uses nature to bring about punishment upon regions (as in hurricanes and earthquakes)?
The Ninevites responded by declaring a fast and all put on sackcloth. The mind works wonders. This act of humility shows how well known the acts of God were during this period in history. The people surrounding Israel knew of the mighty God that worked in favor of this nation, and they knew of His powerful acts of mercy and of judgment. Jonah declares the judgment to Nineveh and people responded. Another hero of the Bible built a giant ship and people laughed; which goes to show us, history does make a difference in our thinking.
The grief spread quickly through this city (one that takes three days to visit). The king was told of the distress by the people and he declared an edict to all. He called for everyone to fast completely (no food or water or anything). He then commanded that all people should put on sackcloth. Sackcloth is very uncomfortable and by wearing it the people were expressing their inward discomfort and using it to stay humble before God.
The king then commanded everyone to call urgently to God, to give up their evil ways and their violence, and to place their hope in God’s compassion. When leaders lead with faith as their guide, they become the example God wants them to be. The United States has seen leaders on numerous occasions declare days of fasting and prayer. We have also seen leaders dishonor their positions with sin and watched as the people countered with sin of their own (Nixon and Clinton just to name two). The king of Nineveh was leading by example. What would happen if we demanded the same of our leaders and held them accountable with our votes?
God watches us closely and knows if we are repentant or not. The people of Nineveh moved the compassion of God because they turned from their evil ways and earnestly sought His forgiveness. God conceded His judgment with compassion and stopped the coming destruction.
- Do enough people in the United States fear God enough and love their country enough to seek repentance at this magnitude?
- How far would you go to remind yourself to remain humble before God? How long could you stay humbled before God?
- How do you feel about being God’s remedy for those who are forfeiting His grace?
No comments:
Post a Comment