JONAH.

In addition to serving as a sign for wicked generations to come (such as the Jews in the time of Christ) the book of Jonah serves as a warning to all those who are given an assignment by God which they consider to be undesirable or unpleasant. (Jonah 1:1-3 NEB.  Matt 12:39-41). To refuse to carry out what Jehovah has ordained can only result in adversity to the one who wilfully refuses to obey the Holy Will of God.  (Heb 12:25 NEB).

Unlike Jonah, Jehovah considered the Ninevites so spiritually backward that they "cannot tell their right hand from their left". (4:11 NEB). But Jonah had knowledge of God, that perhaps Jehovah would have mercy upon the Ninevites if they repented. (Exodus 34:6,7). And they did repent. So why did Jonah not rejoice in the opportunity to be instrumental in the reconciliation of the Ninevites to Jehovah?  (1:1-3 and 3:5 to 4:3 NEB).

That Jehovah issued the commission to Jonah to proclaim His denunciation of their wickedness is an object lesson for us. From this account we learn not only of the mercy and diversified wisdom of God upon a repentant people, but also of the absurdity of being unwilling or refusing to carry out the Will of God that is ultimately in one's best interests. We must also consider the possible consequences of refusing to obey Him and of murmuring against His judicial decisions.  (Wisdom of Solomon 1:7-11 NEB).

Jonah thought more of the inconvenience he would be put to in warning the Ninevites of the consequences of their wickedness and the need to repent, than the prospect of their imminent destruction!  In fact, Jonah was so "greatly displeased and angry" that Jehovah had spared them after their repentance, that he asked Jehovah to take his life!  (4:1-3 NEB).  It is written:  "It is the foolishness of an earthling man that distorts his way, and so his heart becomes enraged against Jehovah Himself."  (Prov 19:3).

That "a man's anger cannot promote the justice of God" was proven true. (James 1:20,21 NEB).  Jonah's anger had blinded him to the fact that by their repentance they were not only in fear of God, they were also giving glory to Him!  (Rev 11:13).

11/7/95.
 

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