When Destruction is Coming

O. T. #2167 "When Destruction is Coming"

April 11, 2022

Jonah 3-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

So the whale vomited Jonah out of its belly onto dry ground. (2:10) Then the Word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time.(3:1)    God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach what He said.(v 2)  Jonah obeyed this time and went to Nineveh, a 3 days journey.(v 3) 

What was the message God gave through Jonah to the people of the idolatrous city of Nineveh? Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. (verse 4)

In other words, God was displeased with the people's wickedness and sins. They needed to repent, turn to Jehovah, and obey the true God, the Creator of heaven and earth. (Falwell)

Nineveh was populated with 175,000 evil people. Its walls were about 30-60 miles around the city. Jonah's message of doom to one of the most powerful cities in the world. It was not the most desirable assignments. No wonder Jonah was afraid to go there, a Jew among pagans. It certainly was not a likable message to tell, either. Isn't it hard to point out the sins of people? Yet we should not let social pressures or fear of people dictate our words. Because we love those, we want the best for them, and having Jesus as Savior is the best thing that can happen to anyone.

How wonderful it is when God gives us a second chance  to carry out His will.  His Word is for everyone, so we should  share it as we go along life's road of faith.  

LET IT GROW

Some think Jonah's face was bleached from the whale's stomach acid as evidence of his experience. Perhaps he shared his own personal experience of rebellion and the people saw the power and mercy of God.

What happened next?

• The people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, worn by mourners. (verse 5)
• The king, when he heard of this, took off his robe and covered himself with sackcloth and ashes, a sign of deep mourning. (verse 6)
• The king and his noble sent this decree throughout the city: No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence. Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change His mind and hold back His fierce anger from destroying us.  (verse 7-9, NTL)
• When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, He changed He mind and did not carry out the destruction He had threatened. (verse 10)

The people of Nineveh, nor the king, did not know the outcome of their faith or hope for relief, except that God had sent one to warn them instead of destroying them. Their faith was not disappointed.

Babylon did not slaughter and conquer Assyria at that time (785 BC) In 612 BC, Nineveh fell to the Babylonians and Medes. Jeremiah 18:7-8 said that any nation on which judgment was pronounced would be saved if its people would repent. It is the obedience of God's Word that pleases Him. Is there something you have not obeyed God by doing yet? It is not too late. Ask God's forgiveness, repent, and do it for His glory. Salvation is only in Jesus.

Judgment is coming for us all, one day. Are you covered with the blood of Jesus Christ? It is His righteousness that we need so God does not see our sin.

 

LET IT GO

Jesus loves us, this I know, for the Bible tells us so.

Holy Spirit, raise us from the mundane, monotonous, and hopelessness in our life. Transform us more like You, full of love and life, peace and joy.

Oh how we need You today, Jesus!

Our lawmakers need You, too.