Jonah 3:10
“When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their evil way, then God relented of the disaster which He had declared He would bring on them. So He did not do it.”
This is what God wanted. He didn’t want to judge them. He wanted them to turn from their evil way. Chapter one verse two gives us a little more description of God’s perspective, “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and cry out against it, because their wickedness has come up before Me.” This verse reminds me of Genesis 18:20. There is where God is talking to Abraham about Sodom and Gomorrah, ‘And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.”‘
What was Nineveh’s sin? We aren’t told directly, however 3:8 gives us a hint, “But every person and animal must be covered with sackcloth; and people are to call on God vehemently, and they are to turn, each one from his evil way, and from the violence which is in their hands.” Apparently they were a violent people. Here’s what Nahum 3:1 says about Nineveh, “Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage; Her prey does not leave.”
What does the bible say about violence. Psalm 11:5 says, “The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.” It’s not often we read about what God hates. Violence is one.
Ever since I was on the bad end of a fight in sixth grade, violence has concerned me. I recall a student being beat up in high school. The winner was so brutal. It was as if he was trying to kill him. Middle school was a violent environment. It felt ruled by violent bullies. Nineveh was a violent city. The fear I experienced in middle school could be spread out to the entire population, but raised to a power. Adults afraid of bullies who threatened them for money or what they could get. Children afraid of violence that was part of their world. Parents afraid for their children. The government tolerated or maybe promoted this kind of behavior.
God cares for people. He cares for the lesser and the bullied even more. God knows the hearts of all. He doesn’t like people living in terror. Romans 13:4 shows how God promotes governments as it’s there to protect it’s people. “For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.” Government is to provide a police force that protects its citizens. Unfortunately for Nineveh, it’s government was corrupt. Thus it may have been bought and was a part of the problem.
Nineveh listened to Jonah’s warning. I’m curious why they did. The Old Testament is full of instances where the people didn’t listen to the prophet’s warning. It could be they knew that Jonah was ejected from a fish. He may have looked odd having been subjected to stomach acid for three days. They may have heard the story from the sailing crew and the storm. Both of those instances are miracles. That would have given his message some credence.
All of us have to repent of our ways and go to God for forgiveness and reconciliation. Through Christ’s sacrifice we are made perfect before God. He sees us through the lens of Jesus. God has used people to share His message with us. He would like to use us to share that message with others. Thank You, Lord, for rescuing us. Help us to share Your message with others.