A City Is Saved (Jonah 3)

Bible Passage: Jonah 3

The first time God called Jonah to preach in Nineveh, he attempted to run, but found that he could not get away from God. In the process of coming back, something changed in Jonah’s heart, and now when the call comes to him a second time, he obeys what God is asking him to do. In this chapter we will see Jonah following the call to Nineveh, and God working through Jonah’s preaching to bring repentance and salvation to the city.

The Call of the Prophet (v1-4): The fact that God repeats the same call to Jonah a second time, in spite of Jonah’s failure and disobedience, shows that God is a God of second chances. Many of us can identify with Jonah’s reluctance to do the things that God is asking us to, and because of his grace, this is not the end of the story, but God is ready to give us a second chance when we turn back to him. For Jonah, the task he was asked to do was exactly the same as before – he was to go to Nineveh and proclaim God’s message to that city. The message was a difficult one, as Jonah was to announce God’s coming judgement on Nineveh’s wickedness. There was not even a word of hope in the message he had been given. But Jonah was faithful in declaring the word that God had given to him, without adding to it or taking from it. In this faithfulness, Jonah is an example to us as we have been commissioned by God to proclaim the good news of the gospel to the whole creation.

The Repentance of the City (v5-9): Even though Jonah’s message was not one that held out an offer of salvation, it did have a profound effect on the people of Nineveh. In verse 5, we are told that they believed God, and this is exactly the response to God’s word that he is looking for – will we take what he has said seriously and act in accordance with it (see Matthew 7:24-27 for Jesus making this same point in a different way)? The Ninevite belief led to them fasting, calling out to God in prayer and covering themselves in sackcloth, which was a symbol of repentance. The people were also ordered to turn away from all of their evil ways and violence. They knew what they had been doing was wrong, and judgement was deserved. They also know that there is no obligation on God to save them, even despite their repentance. Nevertheless, they recognise that God is compassionate and know that as they turn away from evil he might relent from the judgement that had been decreed.

The Mercy of God (v10): God’s response to the repentance of the Ninevites was to relent and spare them from the judgement that he was going to send. Repentance is something that moves the heart of God. In the New Testament, belief and repentance are exactly the response that Jesus was after as he preached the good news of the kingdom in the towns and villages of Israel (e.g. Mark 14:14-15). Compared to the people of Nineveh, we have a much clearer assurance of the connection between repentance and God’s mercy, and we have the gospel promise of Acts 3:19 that as we repent and turn to God, our sins will be wiped out and times of refreshing will come from the Lord.

Potential Applications:

• Some people will resonate with Jonah’s experience of not obeying what they knew God was calling them to do. Offer out a second chance and pray for restoration and recommissioning for people.
• The Ninevites responded to God’s word in repentance and were saved. Invite people to put their trust in Jesus for salvation.
• Challenge people to think about who they can share God’s word of mercy with.