A Second Chance: The Book of Jonah

READ: JONAH 4; MATTHEW 12:38-42; ROMANS 10:9-13

Out of all the biblical prophets, Jonah is probably the most infamous. The book focuses on a prophet who didn’t want to go to the city of Nineveh when God told him to. It’s not hard to see why. Nineveh was a brutal and cruel place, where they removed the noses and ears of some of their prisoners, practiced witchcraft, and worshiped idols. Nineveh wasn’t a happy place.

When God told Jonah to go to Nineveh to urge them to repent and warn them of God’s coming judgment, Jonah ran in the opposite direction because he didn’t want the Ninevites to experience God’s grace (Jonah 4:2). He got on a ship to Tarshish, which was about 3,000 miles away from Ninevah, but a storm came up and threatened to destroy the ship and the crew. Jonah confessed his sin and convinced them to throw him overboard. He was then swallowed by a huge fish and spent three days in its belly. There he repented, and God caused it to vomit him on land. Finally, Jonah travelled to Nineveh and preached to the people. After hearing his words, all the people repented by fasting and praying. The book ends with Jonah complaining about their repentance, but God rebuked him, saying, “Should I not have concern for…Nineveh?”

We’ve all sinned. And, like Jonah thought the Ninevites shouldn’t have been forgiven, we may think that our own sins are too egregious or that we’re unforgivable. But God is King of forgiving everything we think can’t be forgiven. Even though others may think we’re beyond forgiveness, God never will.

Just as God sent Jonah to give the people of Nineveh hope, He sent Jesus to us so that, through faith in Him, we can be saved. Like Jonah spent three days in a giant fish, Jesus spent three days in the grave. Because Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and rose again to give us new life, everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is forgiven. Unlike Jonah, Jesus doesn’t run in the opposite direction when we need help. He comes running to us, no matter what. • Morgan A. Mitchell

• Do you struggle to believe you’re forgiven? Satan wants you to believe the lie that you’re unforgiveable, but if you know Jesus, all your sins are forgiven—past, present, and future. You can ask God to remind you of this truth anytime. Who else can remind you of God’s forgiveness?

• As Christians, we live in a constant rhythm of repentance as the Holy Spirit reveals our sin. Consider taking some time to confess any sins that come to mind and rest in God’s sure forgiveness.

He [Jonah] said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.” Jonah 2:2 (NIV)