Recently, I read again the book of Jonah, and, as I do quite often do, I asked “why?” to many of the events spoken of in this book. Jonah is quite an interesting character and one that occupies many of the stories highlighted in children’s Bible story books, films about the Bible, and is even mentioned in the Qu’ran. I guess my main question is why was Jonah so unwilling to preach about the coming judgment of one of Israel’s archenemies? Prior to the story recounted in the book of Jonah, the prophet was living in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He was a prophet recognized by King Jeroboam II, during Israel’s wars with Assyria. Although Jeroboam II was not a good king, he obeyed the Word of the Lord given through Jonah and expanded and fortified the borders of Israel. I suppose the news of Jonah’s prophecy of victory over the world-power Assyria by little Israel had been known in the streets of Assyria’s capital, Nineveh.
At the time of Jonah, Israel was just as wicked as Assyria, yet God had mercy on Israel. Jonah’s prophecy of victory over the Assyrians had brought him in favor with the king. Years of paying tribute to their enemy was now over; at least for a time. Now God was sending Jonah into the very capital of their enemy with another specific word from the Lord. Not only was it dangerous for an Israelite to be in this city, but their possible repentance and forgiveness could mean future aggression on behalf of Assyria toward Israel. It was a no-win scenario. In fact, just 40 years after Jonah’s ministry, Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom, and Israel was taken into captivity. Can you now understand why Jonah fled to the farthest away place he could think of, Tarshish?
Even though Jonah’s actions were understandable, they were not permissible. Jonah was the Lord’s prophet, not the king’s. His only responsibility was to hear and obey. To shorten the story, Jonah ran away from God’s commission, a large fish swallowed him, he repented, and the fish vomited him onto dry land, so he could go back and fulfil his mission. Now the famous prophet Jonah is in Nineveh with a word of judgment. As he walks across this great city, Jonah cries out that in 40 days this city would be overthrown. (note: Jonah did not call the people to repentance). But, as he suspected, the people, from the king to the lowest of servants, repented in sackcloth and ashes and with fasting. As a city, they repented of their many sins against Jehovah, Israel’s God.
Jonah knew that God was gracious and merciful, he had benefitted from these attributes himself, yet when God forgave the Ninevites, Jonah became angry. Isn’t it just like man to either run from God or play God? Jonah just couldn’t get pass the fact that this evil city needed to be judged once and for all so that Israel would have peace on her borders. To him, judgment would resolve their problems, not mercy. To bring this story home to us, I wonder if we value human life as much as God does? God is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance. How can we receive grace and forgiveness for ourselves and not desire the same for others? We need to get pass the hurts of the past and what others have done to make our life difficult. No one is worthy of God’s forgiveness and mercy. How can we claim to know and fear God and still act in a self-righteous way? God loves people and His invitation for salvation is extended to all. So let’s over our judgmental ways and seek God’s mercy for all. Let’s humble ourselves by praying for our enemies’ salvation and forgiveness.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Jonah 1-4; Nahum 1:1-15; 2 Kings 14:25; Psalms 139; Luke 11:30; 2 Peter 3:9