Old Testament Reading: Jonah 3
By God's mercy and grace, our reluctant preacher (Jonah) has been given a second chance. He responds this time to God's command to go the great city of Nineveh (vs. 1). The book of Jonah reveals God's great passion and love for cities. Thus, it reveals God's great love and passion for people. Cities are densely packed areas of people; people Jesus loves. Cities often reflect the best of the ingenuity and creativity of humans who are created in God's image. They also often reflect the depravity humanity's sinful nature. Interestingly, in Revelation 21:2, we see that a city is the centerpiece of the new heaven and new earth. God has always had cities on his mind!
Nineveh was a great city that was also filled with wickedness and sin. It was especially known for it violence as was demonstrated by its ruthless conquest of neighboring nations. Yet, God despite all its evil wants this city to turn to him. Just like he longs that none would perish but all would turn to him (2 Peter 3:9), and he longs for Boston to turn to him. The God of the Bible is a god who longs for his creation to know him.
God in his sovereignty has always used human messengers and laborers to communicate his message of love and forgiveness to allow people to turn from the coming judgment of God. Jonah - despite his reluctance - is used by God to bring this message to Nineveh. The result is the city turns to God from the greatest to least crying out to God for forgiveness and salvation (see yesterday's entry). They know their specific sin - violence (vs. 8) - and confess it to God.
Today, we would do well to confess our specific sin to God knowing he longs to cleanse us from all sin through his blood shed on the cross. What joy to know we are forgiven and cleansed! What joy in Nineveh when God relented from sending judgment (vs. 10)!
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to preach to them?" (Romans 10:14)
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