The Emperor's New Clothes
In Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, two swindlers convince a foolish but fashionable emperor to buy their magical clothes. The con men claim that the clothes can't be seen by anyone who is incompetent or stupid. No one wants to be thought a fool, so everyone pretends they can see the non-existent clothes. At the end of the story, the king marches through the city wearing nothing at all. Even when a child says what's obvious, he keeps going, too embarrassed to admit his mistake. We love stories that expose how the pride of powerful leaders causes them to make foolish decisions. What's unusual is a powerful ruler who humbly leads his community to repent before God.
The people of Nineveh believe God, proclaim a fast, and put on sackcloth. They don't wait for a royal edict to act. Before long, someone runs to the royal palace with the news: everyone in the city is putting on sackcloth! When the king hears what everyone is doing, he follows suit: he gets off his throne, removes his robe, puts on sackcloth, and sits in ashes. On February 8, 2023, a chapel service at Asbury University didn't stop. For more than two weeks, students continued to worship and pray, day and night. Thomas Lyons reported that "these students have chosen hiddenness and simplicity, selfless hospitality, and a relentless hunger for Jesus." As hungry as we are for something sensational, true repentance is so humble it can spread like wildfire. It's striking to see a king take his robe off to remind himself of his need for mercy. But only the king can make it official, and he issues a royal decree. In Joel 2:12-14 we read, "Even now—this is the LORD's declaration—turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the LORD your God. For he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and he relents from sending disaster. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind him, so you can offer a grain offering and a drink offering to the LORD your God." As James Nogalski explains, "the king of Nineveh articulates the same idea to the people of Nineveh in a nearly verbatim manner." Jonah announces destruction, but the king asks for mercy. Jonah avoids naming any of his sins; the king specifically confesses they've done what is evil. Within Jonah, we've encountered three prayers: the sailors, Jonah, and the king of Nineveh. Jonah's prayer is bookended by the repentant prayers of his enemies. The Gentiles keep demonstrating a greater spiritual sensitivity than God's prophet. The people of Nineveh include the cows in their repentance. It seems absurd at first. What are the cows sorry for? But this small detail shows us how eagerly they wanted to get right with God. Imagine if all the billboards in your city read "God, please forgive us." Their repentance is not merely private feelings or religious ritual; it reaches into every part of their lives.
What does it tell us about God that the king of Nineveh proclaims nearly the same message as the prophet Joel?
When has someone else's repentance inspired you to turn to God?
What's one way you disconnect "following God" from changing how you live?
If you're physically able to do so, get on your knees, put your palms up, and tell God, "I've been avoiding you because of [whatever issue comes to mind]. Today, I want to turn away from my sin and turn to you. I know I don't deserve it, but I'm asking for mercy."