A Complete Turnaround

Jonah 3:5-10   “The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. ⁶ 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. ⁷ 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. ⁸ 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. ⁹ Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” ¹⁰ 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.”

We continue through the book of Jonah, we had looked at Jonah being hurled from the big fish and obey God by going to Nineveh and speak of the Judgement God would bring on them. Today, we look at how the Nineveites respond to this message from God.

Salvation comes from hearing the word. When Jonah spoke God’s word to them, the Ninevites believed in God. The word of God is powerful, it fosters faith, and His kindness leads to repentance. For people to believe in God, they must hear His word. Romans 10:17 says, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” It is a privilege and a responsibility to make known the name of the Lord to those we come across.

The Power in God’s Word

Previously, we had touched upon the very concise message Jonah shared, it lacked the compassion and compelling nature that should underline a message of salvation. And yet, those very words were powerful. The miraculous happens, the people who were wicked and so far from God, have a moment of realisation through a halfhearted sermon. This reminds us that the eloquence of words is not what transforms hearts, it might stir emotions, but it is the power of God moving through what is spoken that changes the hearts of people. The Ninevites believed God and repented. This is the picture of God’s power through His word.

Repentance is not mere words Alone

The brokenness over their sin is evidenced in how the Ninevites respond – saying that you are broken over your sin is not real heart change if it is not reflected in your actions – God looks for a broken and contrite spirit (Psalm 51). Jonah’s message mentions 40 days, at the end of which they would be overthrown. The Ninevites did not tarry, they acted immediately. When you truly comprehend the weight of your sin and seek to be right with God, ideally you will not want to put off getting on that course of reconciliation with Him through repentance.

In the rest of this chapter, Jonah is no more mentioned, as he is not the main character, it is God. As one shares God’s word, the goal is not to draw attention to self, but to draw everyone’s attention to God himself.

We continue to see the response of repentance among the Ninevite people.

Humility and Surrender

The king of Nineveh upon hearing God’s words, gets off from the throne, and takes off his royal robes before calling for a fast– these were things that depicted his authority. As he removes these symbols of authority, he humbles himself before God and covers himself with sackcloth and ashes. He humbles himself and surrenders to the authority of God through his actions. And says, in verse 9, “Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” The King does not take for granted that God would relent, his words imply that he and his people in humility and surrender are calling upon the compassionate heart of God to forgive them. God is always concerned for each and every one of his children, we see that depicted with how He ensured that the Ninevites got to hear this message. The irony of it is that Jonah did not seem to be concerned with them perishing. But God was and always is. May we be mindful to reflect the heart of the Lord in a similar manner.

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. God is a merciful and compassionate God and His greatest desire is for people to turn to Him.

Self- Reflection: Nineveh was so grieved when God’s word highlighted their own sin, they repented and fasted. Reflect on ways you can be mindful to not be complacent with sin in your life but see it as God sees it and take action to make yourself right with God.

As we saw God’s concern for the people of Nineveh, it reminds us of His heart for all individuals to know Him, that includes all in our respective communities. Consider your own concern for those around you; does it mirror God’s compassion for them? Could it be that God is prompting you to speak up or take action to share His love and His name to someone?

God Bless.