Need to make a “You”-turn?
Male drivers have a notorious reputation for not seeking proper driving directions, believing they know best and can "figure it out". But when there is someone there who has the "roadmap" and is trying to help you get to where you need to be, maybe you need to listen. Listening to someone who has consulted with the roadmap can save you time, save you resources... and it can even save your life! Jonah was sent to Nineveh to preach a message (Jonah 3), warning them that the road they were heading down led to destruction. I pray that you will hear, listen and act on God's saving word when it is offered to you.
Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. (Jonah 3:3-5) Jonah had been sent to Nineveh by God to deliver a message regarding His judgment on them and their evil practices. Jonah had disobeyed God, by trying to avoid delivering this prophetic message to Israel's enemy, Nineveh. Jonah boarded a ship headed in the opposite direction, so he wouldn't have to warn Nineveh that God was going to destroy them. But God caused Jonah to rethink his rebellion while he sat for 3 days in the belly of a whale. As Jonah, in obedience, went through Nineveh proclaiming God's message to them, the people began to repent and turn to God for forgiveness. When we are obedient and share God's word with others, even the people furthest from God can turn to Him.
When Jonah’s warning 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. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals 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.” (Jonah 3:6-9) Even the king of Nineveh responded to Jonah's message by repenting personally, and even issuing a proclamation requiring all of Nineveh to repent as well. The king's proclamation extended not only to all the people, but also to the animals. They were to fast and wear sack cloth and ashes. These were symbolic of the seriousness of Nineveh's contrition before God. God expects those in leadership over His people to take action to turn themselves and the people back to God...especially after He makes them aware of their transgression.
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. (Jonah 3:10) God responded to the heartfelt national repentance of Nineveh. He forgave Nineveh's sins and allowed them to live. As bad as our sins may be, God is faithful to forgive us when we turn away from them and turn back to Him. His desire is not to destroy us...He wants to give us new life.
Jonah tried to run away from God's calling for him to preach to Nineveh. Nineveh was in Assyria, and the Assyrians were enemies of Israel. They would eventually defeat the northern tribes and take them into captivity. Those tribes would never recover. Jonah wanted the Assyrians destroyed, not saved. But God used Nineveh to be an example to Israel...turning back to Him could save them. When God sent Jonah as a prophet to Nineveh they listened...on the contrary, Israel ignored all the prophets God sent to them. The result? Nineveh was saved. Israel was defeated. Is God calling you to turn around in order to prevent a disaster from happening in your life? Let those who have ears, hear Him!
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
