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GOD'S MERCY (5 OF 6)
by Marion Clark
Scripture: Jonah 3:10, Jonah 4:1-2
This content is part of a series.
God's Mercy (5 of 6)
Series: Jonah
D. Marion Clark
Jonah 3:10-4:2
Introduction
When one thinks of Jonah fleeing from his assignment to preach in Nineveh, the assumption is quickly made that Jonah was afraid of Nineveh. We feel for Jonah. After all, who among us would relish the call to walk into the capital city of North Korea and proclaim judgment against it? Our text this morning reveals the real motive behind Jonah's flight.
Text
10 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.
The king of Nineveh's efforts worked. He had ordered rituals of contrition and wide-spread repentance throughout the population for the very purpose of averting God's judgment. ''Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.'' Lo, and behold, God did turn from his anger and spared the city.
It is at this point that a question is raised, namely, does God change his mind? The Hebrew term
''relented'' is the same as for ''repented.'' Does God actually repent? To be honest, I don't find this to be an issue considering the context of the passage. The presumption is that God never had intention or desire for Nineveh to repent, but Jonah ran away precisely because he suspected God intended to display mercy.
But why pronounce doom when mercy is intended? Why not have Jonah proclaim that judgment would come only if the people did not repent? Any veteran parent can explain. If you want your kids to settle down and behave, tell them you've had enough and pronounce their doom. They quickly stop their misbehavior, and you are now in the position to be benevolent and spare them. The kids think they changed the parent's mind, but you know better.
What then is Jonah's response to God's benevolence?
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the LORD and said, ''O LORD, is not this wha ...
Series: Jonah
D. Marion Clark
Jonah 3:10-4:2
Introduction
When one thinks of Jonah fleeing from his assignment to preach in Nineveh, the assumption is quickly made that Jonah was afraid of Nineveh. We feel for Jonah. After all, who among us would relish the call to walk into the capital city of North Korea and proclaim judgment against it? Our text this morning reveals the real motive behind Jonah's flight.
Text
10 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.
The king of Nineveh's efforts worked. He had ordered rituals of contrition and wide-spread repentance throughout the population for the very purpose of averting God's judgment. ''Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.'' Lo, and behold, God did turn from his anger and spared the city.
It is at this point that a question is raised, namely, does God change his mind? The Hebrew term
''relented'' is the same as for ''repented.'' Does God actually repent? To be honest, I don't find this to be an issue considering the context of the passage. The presumption is that God never had intention or desire for Nineveh to repent, but Jonah ran away precisely because he suspected God intended to display mercy.
But why pronounce doom when mercy is intended? Why not have Jonah proclaim that judgment would come only if the people did not repent? Any veteran parent can explain. If you want your kids to settle down and behave, tell them you've had enough and pronounce their doom. They quickly stop their misbehavior, and you are now in the position to be benevolent and spare them. The kids think they changed the parent's mind, but you know better.
What then is Jonah's response to God's benevolence?
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the LORD and said, ''O LORD, is not this wha ...
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