Five Words
For weeks, I prepared to give a talk to a large group of college students. The emcee got them excited to hear what I had to say. I asked God to help me share a powerful message and gave it my best effort. But as far as I know, no one decided to follow Jesus.
Jonah hardly tries. Kevin Youngblood notes, "Jonah's one-day journey contrasts markedly with the description of Nineveh as a three-day journey." There's also a narrative contrast: Jonah's prayer to thank God for sparing his life took all of Chapter 2. But now that it's time to speak to the Ninevites? In Hebrew, it's five words. When God had done something for him, he had lots to say. When God asked something of him, his lips were nearly sealed. Jonah only says, "You're about to be demolished." He doesn't start with "This is what the Lord says." It's unusual for a prophet to avoid mentioning God, evil, mercy, or repentance. I'm frustrated by Jonah's success. He proclaims doom, and an entire city repents. I give thoughtful, respectful, engaging messages, and no one turns their life around. Standing on a street corner with a sandwich board and a megaphone hardly guarantees a positive response, either. I've tried to find a practical takeaway from Jonah's sermon, but I can't do it. I don't want to copy his approach. Jonah knew God, had heard his word, and had been rescued from death. The Ninevites were evil and didn't know God. But given the barest of prophetic messages, they believe in God. We aren't told the Ninevites became devoted to Yahweh long-term. But we shouldn't discount their response. They do what Israelites do when they are repentant: fast and put on sackcloth. Even Jesus praised their response: "The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah's preaching; and look—something greater than Jonah is here" (Matthew 12:41). Jonah reluctantly went to his enemies to announce judgment; Jesus willingly came to his enemies to take their judgment for them. If God had judged the Ninevites for their evil, that would've been just, and he wouldn't have needed to warn them. Instead, God gives them forty days to turn to him. God works through a stubborn prophet and a five-word message to bring an entire city to repentance. I cannot manufacture a response. Jonah said it himself when he prayed to God: "Salvation belongs to the LORD" (2:9).
What surprises you about the Ninevites' response?
How have you measured faithfulness by results?
What's one way you have experienced God's mercy?
Write down the name of one person you think is beyond God's care. Then pray, "God, salvation belongs to you. Please show them your mercy." If it's safe and appropriate, reach out to see how they're doing.