“Preaching and Repentance”

Jonah 3

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.” When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.”

Aren’t you glad that the Lord came to Jonah a second time? Jonah was a coward, a flight risk, a baby prone to tantrums. That gives me hope because I recognize those embarrassing traits in myself. When Jonah was given a second chance after giving it a little reflection he obeyed and a mighty nation repented and turned to the Lord. God is a God of second chances, and thankfully we don’t have to be qualified in order for Him to work through us. 
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions: 
  • Do you ever feel unqualified to carry out what God has called you to do? What do you do in those times? 
  • Have you ever been a part of something that because of your obedience someone was changed? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 

Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.