SCRIPTURE: JONAH 3
JONAH GOES TO NINEVEH (vs. 1-10)
For the second time, the Lord told Jonah : “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you”. (v. 2). Jonah obeyed and went to Nineveh. He traveled for 33 days and upon reaching there he proclaimed: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned” (v. 4). When the Ninevites heard it, they believed God. They declared a fast to everyone and put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” (v. 7-9)
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
THOUGHTS:
God is gracious. He does not want anyone to perish. He desires all men to be saved. His Word is powerful to convert and correct the greatest sinners. Are you willing to share the gospel to bring people to repentance?
Although Jonah run away from God, he was given a second chance to do God’s work. Don’t ever disqualify yourself from serving the Lord even if you have past mistakes. God will still use you to do something for Him.
The pagan people of Nineveh believed Jonah’s message and repented. God’s word has miraculous effect on those evil people. How about you? Do you respond obediently to God’s word?
God cancelled the threatened judgment of destruction to Nineveh because they repented. He is always ready to show compassion to anyone willing to seek Him.