Jonah Pouting Outside of Nineveh Jonah 4:5

When the LORD spared Nineveh of the judgment Jonah pronounced upon them, Jonah was “displeased” and longed for God to take his life from him. Jonah knew God is merciful and gracious, and he wondered whether the LORD would spare the people of the city if they humbled themselves and repented of their ways. The LORD asked Jonah if he did “well” being “angry”, and in chapter four and verse five of this prophesy we see Jonah go “out of the city”, pouting and watching to see what would happen to Nineveh. We read:

So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.

The verse begins, “So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth,...” The author began with the words, “So Jonah went out” or “dove” “departed and proceeded forward ” “of the city” which refers to “the town and guarded place of waking”, “and sat” or “dwelt, remained and abode” “on the east side” which refers to “the front, before, aforetime and ancient or beginning” “of the city” which means “the town and guarded place of waking”, “and there made” or “fashioned, accomplished and produced” “him a booth” which means “a thicket, pavilion or covering or rude and temporary shelter”. After the LORD asked him whether he did “well” to be “furious”, Jonah traveled to the outside or the “beginning” of the city, made himself a shelter and settled in there.

The verse goes on to say, “...and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.” The author continued, “and sat under it in the shadow”” which means “remained, dwelt and abode beneath the shade, protection and transitoriness of the shelter”, “till he might see” which means “look at, inspect, perceive and consider” “what would become of the city” which is all one Hebrew word “'iyr” and refers to “the town and guarded place of waking known as the city of Nineveh”. Jonah purposed to watch what might happen to Nineveh even though the LORD informed him they would be spared.

When we meditate upon these words, we might be able to understand Jonah's feelings. Jonah, after spending three days and nights in the “great fish”, finally obeyed the LORD, cried out to Nineveh - -“yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown”, saw the people including the king repent and watched the LORD alter His plan to destroy them. Now, he decided to pout, left the city and built a temporary shelter just so he could observe whether the LORD would change His mind and destroy them anyway. When we see Jesus pour out His grace upon people whom we feel should be judged, do we pout? Do we watch carefully to see whether God will bring judgment upon them or not? What if the people who need judgment are us? Let us imagine we were the ones that humbled ourselves, repented and called out upon the LORD to “spare” us? How would we feel then? The LORD Jesus is ready to extend his mercy to those who will call upon Him, and may the LORD help and lead to imitate Him as we look toward those who have wronged us.

Next time we see the LORD prepare a “gourd” for Jonah, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Jonah's Plea for the LORD to Take His Life Jonah 4:3

When Jonah knew the LORD spared His determined destruction upon the city of Nineveh, Jonah was “displeased exceedingly” and “was very angry”. He prayed to the LORD and complained that this was his “saying” when he was in his “own country” because he knew the LORD was “a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” and would “repent of the evil” He planned for them. In chapter four and verse three of this prophesy, Jonah begged the LORD to “take” his “life” from him where we read:

Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech you, my life from me;

for it is better for me to die than to live.

The verse begins, “Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech you, my life from me;” The author began with the words, “Therefore now” or “because of, on account of and this being true, at this time” “O LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God” “take” or “fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire bring and snatch away” “I beseech you” which means “begging, appealing and asking intensively” “my life” or “soul, self, creature, person, appetite, mind, living, desire, emotion and passion” “from me” which refers to Jonah. Jonah's desire was for God to strip him of his life or kill him because God altered His plan for Nineveh.

The verse goes on to say, “for it is better for me to die than to live.” The author continued, “for it is better” or “good, pleasant, agreeable, excellent, appropriate, rich and valuable in estimation” “for me” which refers to Jonah “to die” which means “be without life, sleep, be put to death or ruin” “than to live” or “be alive, flowing, fresh, active and revived”. Because Jonah knew his words would not to come to pass, he felt is was better for him to be dead than to live.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see the depth of devastation and depression Jonah felt. He despaired of life itself, and desired for God to kill him. We might think that he would appreciate the grace of God, but he did not. He desired for Nineveh to be destroyed, and when the LORD spared the people who lived there, he felt life was not worth living. Jonah easily forgot the grace of God that was extended to him while he was in the “great fish”, and in the same manner we may be prone to forget the “grace and mercy of the LORD” toward us when He does not bring judgment upon others who have harmed us. Jesus Christ wants us to have a relationship with Him, and He died on the cross to demonstrate the extent of His available “grace”. May we learn from Jesus' example, and when judgment does not come upon others as we may desire, let us follow our representative and learn to forgive.

Next time we see the LORD's answer to Jonah, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Jonah's Prayer Jonah 4:2

When God saw the humility of the people of Nineveh, he diverted from the “destruction” He purposed against them. This “infuriated” Jonah, and in chapter four and verse two of this prophesy we see Jonah's prayer to the LORD concerning His altered plans where we read:

And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray to you, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and you repent of the evil.

The verse begins, “And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray to you, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country?” The writer began with the words, “And he prayed” which means “intervened, interposed, meditated and intreated” “unto the LORD” who is “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God”, “and said” or “spoke, uttered, answered, promised and intended”, “I pray to you” which is “and interjection that means I beseech or beg you”, “O LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing one and the proper name for the one true God”, “was not this my saying” or “Jonah's speech, word and utterance”, “when I was yet in my country” which is all one Hebrew word “'adamah” and refers to “the ground, land, specific plot of land, earth substance, territory and country where Jonah resided”. Jonah's plea and appeal before the LORD was that he mentioned this while he was still in his own “country”.

The verse goes on to say, “Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and you repent of the evil.” The writer continued, “Therefore I fled” which means “ran away, was put to flight, reached, shot and hurried away” “before” or “in front of, in advance of and lead beforehand in anticipation” “unto Tarshish” which means “yellow jasper” and was “a city of the Phoenicians in a distant part of the Mediterranean Sea to which the prophet Jonah was trying to flee”: “for I knew” or “perceived, found out, discerned, discriminated and distinguished by experience” “that you” which refers to “the LORD” “are a gracious” which means “merciful and benignant” “God” or “the one true God, Jehovah”, “and merciful” which means “compassionate”, “slow to anger” or “long-suffering and patient to wrath which is shown in the nostrils of face”, “and of great” which means “much, many, abounding, more numerous, exceeding, captain and chief” “kindness” or “goodness, faithfulness and favor” “and you repent” or “are moved to pity and have compassion with rue and ease” “of the evil” which means “bad, disagreement, malignant, unpleasant, pain, unhappiness and misery”. The reason Jonah fled to “Tarshish” was because he knew if Nineveh turned from their wickedness, “the LORD” would be moved to pity for them and not bring the judgment upon them he proclaimed.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see the wonderful grace of “the LORD God”, and we discover the disappointment that Jonah had knowing God was this way. Jonah desired for Nineveh to be judged for their “evil”, and when he thought about proclaiming judgment upon them, he knew there was a chance that God would turn from destroying them. We may have people in our lives whom we desire God to judge, and by thinking through this verse, we may learn the “LORD” is filled with “mercy” and “compassion”, and He is reluctant for any to perish. This was demonstrated by Jesus Christ when He came into the world “not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved”. For those who will hear His voice and obey the drawing of the Holy Spirit to put their trust in Him, He is not only willing to save, but ready to spare them regardless of how others feel.

Next time we see Jonah beg for God to “take” his “life”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Jonah Displeased Exceedingly Jonah 4:1

After seeing the humility and “works” of the king and the people of Nineveh, “God repented of the evil, that he ad said that he would do unto them.” In chapter four and verse one of this prophesy, we see how God's decision “displeased Jonah exceedingly” where we read:

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

The verse begins, “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly,...” The author began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about be written takes precedence over what was just stated, “moreover, nevertheless or nonetheless” “it displeased” which means “God's decision made Jonah tremble, quiver and to be broken up” “Jonah” whose name means “dove” “exceedingly” or “largely in magnitude, intensity, importance and loudness”. Jonah was very upset with God's decision to be merciful and gracious to Nineveh and it's people.

The verse continues, “...and he was very angry.” The author added, “and he was” which refers to Jonah “very angry” or “hot, furious, burning, kindled and incensed”. Not only was Jonah “trembling and quivering” over the LORD's choice for Nineveh,but he was also “infuriated” because of it.

When we consider the words in this verse, we can imagine the “fury” that Jonah experienced when he knew the LORD spared Nineveh. He was commissioned to proclaim that in “forty days Nineveh” would be “destroyed”, and now his words were not going to come to pass. We see in this determination the abundant “grace” of God, and many of us have had the same reaction as Jonah when someone is spared judgment when we think should suffer greatly. Jesus Christ came into the world to “save sinners”, and those who call out to Him in humility and repentance, regardless of how sinful they have been, will receive His abundant grace and Salvation. Oh that we might extend the same “grace” as our Savior Jesus when others are spared pending doom.

Next time we see Jonah complaining to God in prayer, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

God Saw Their Works Jonah 3:10

When Jonah cried out against the city of Nineveh, not only did the people humble themselves, but also the king “clothed himself in sackcloth”, “sat in ashes” and made a proclamation that every man and beast in the city were to humble themselves in the same manner. The king hoped this would persuade the LORD to alter His plan of destruction pronounced upon them. In chapter three and verse ten of this prophesy, “God saw their works” and “repented of the evil” He said He would do. We read:

And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way;

and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

The verse begins, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way;” The writer began with the words, “And God” which refers to “the ruler, judge and divine One who is the one true God” “saw their works” or “looked at, perceived, inspected and considered their deeds, things done, actions, pursuits, undertakings and achievements”, “that they turned” which means “returned, restored, refreshed and repaired” “from their evil way” which means “bad, disagreeable, malignant, unpleasant, painful, miserable and displeasing manner, path, direction and journey”. When the king of Nineveh, the people, and the animals within the city humbled themselves and fasted because of the proclamation against them, the LORD “saw” their repentance from their “evil” way of living.

The verse goes on to say, “and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.” The writer continued, “and God” which refers to “the ruler, judge and divine One who is the one true God” “repented” which means “was moved to pity, had compassion and eased” “of the evil” or “bad, disagreeable, malignant, unpleasant, painful, miserable and displeasing”, “that he had said” which means “that God had spoken, declared, conversed, threatened and promised” “that he would do” or “fashion, accomplish, make and produce” “unto them” which refers to the people of Nineveh. After God saw the repentance of the people in Nineveh, He had “pity and compassion” upon them and did not carry out the destruction proclaimed by Jonah.

When we consider the words in this verse, we marvel at the ways of God. Although He was prepared to destroy Nineveh, He altered His plan when the people “humbled themselves and repented” of their “evil ways”. This demonstrates the “compassion” of the LORD for people. He does not desire to “destroy”, but He desires to “save” all who will turn to Him in humility and repentance. The gospel of John in chapter three and verse seventeen says, “For God did not send his son (Jesus) into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved”. God “so” loves people, that He longs for them to humble themselves, turn from their wicked ways and call out to Him, and when they do, He will pour out His abundant mercy and grace instead of bringing judgment upon them they deserve.

Next time we begin the final chapter of this prophesy and see how this angered Jonah, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Who Can Tell if God Will Turn Jonah 3:9

As the king of Nineveh heard the proclamation of Jonah, he along with the people in the city humbled themselves, clothed themselves in “sackcloth” and fasted of both food and water. The king commanded that even the animals be clothed with “sackcloth” and demanded for them to participate in the fast as well. In chapter three and verse nine of this prophesy, the king asks, “who can tell if God will turn and repent” where we read:

Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

The verse begins, “Who can tell if God will turn and repent,...” The author began with the words, “Who can tell” or “who knows or perceives” “if God” which refers to “the ruler and judge the divine One and the one true God” “will turn” which means “return, bring back, restore, refresh and repair” “and repent” or “be sorry, console, regret, comfort, be moved with pity and have compassion”. The king wondered if God would look upon the people's humility and alter the plan He declared for their destruction.

The verse goes on to say, “...and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” The author continued, “and turn away” which means “return, bring back, restore, refresh and repair” “from his fierce anger” or “heated and burning wrath which crinkles the nose., countenance and face”, “that we perish not” which means “will not vanish, go astray, be destroyed, die or be lost”. The king desired for the city of Nineveh to be spared from the wrath of God.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see the humble hope the king had in the outward display of himself and the people within his city. The king was convinced that his only option was to look for the mercy and compassion of God. We marvel that this pagan king was so convinced by Jonah's words that he demonstrated the position every person should take when convicted by God's Holy Spirit. Jesus calls for everyone to “humble” themselves, “repent of their ways” and turn from their “evil behavior”, and when they do, He is waiting with open arms of mercy, grace and compassion to not only forgive them of their sin but also to “cleanse them from all unrighteousness”. May all who read these words hear the word of the LORD.

Next time we see how “God turned from the evil that he said he would do unto them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Beasts with Sackcloth and Turning from Evil Jonah 3:8

When the word of Nineveh's destruction came from Jonah, the people both great and least as well as the king humbled themselves by fasting and clothing themselves in “sackcloth”. As the king “sat in ashes”, he and his “nobles” made a proclamation that man, beast, herd and flock should not “taste any thing, feed, nor drink water”. In chapter three and verse eight of his prophesy, the king added to his decree by commanding that all “beasts” be “covered with sackcloth” and they “cry mightily unto God” where we read:

But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God:

yes, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.

The verse begins, “But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God:” The writer began with the word, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was previously stated, “let man” or “mankind and human beings” “and beast” which means “cattle and animals both domestic and wild” “be covered” or “concealed, hidden and clothed” “with sackcloth” which is “mesh or sacks for grain worn in mourning for humiliation”, “and cry” or “call out, recite, read and proclaim” “mightily” which means “by force, strength and sharp violence” “unto God” which refers to “the ruler or judge who is the divine One and the true God”. The king of Nineveh commanded every living being to demonstrate humility by wearing “sackcloth”, and they were to “call out forcefully unto God” in “mourning” and pleading before Him.

The verse continues, “yes, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.” The writer added, “yes let them turn” which means “return, turn back, restore, refresh, repair and bring back” “every one” or “each and every man, woman, servant and great man” “from his evil way” which refers to “bad, disagreeable, malignant, unpleasant, painful, unhappy and miserable manner, habit and moral character”, “and from the violence” which means “wrong, cruelty, injustice, damage and unrighteousness” “that is in their hands” which means “in their palms, hollow of the flat of the hand, power and sole”. In addition to an attitude and posture of humility, the king called for the people to “repent” of their “evil ways” and from any “violent” and mischievous ways in which they indulged.

When we think through the words in this verse,we see the extent to which this king “repented” before the LORD. Not only were he and his “nobles” to humble themselves, but every living being throughout the kingdom was to join in the atoning experience too. Each of them were to examine their “evil ways” and “violent” actions and put them away. When Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit convicts a person of their sin, the best response is to be like this king – be humble, cry out to God and repent of “evil and violent” ways, and receive Jesus Christ as Savior and LORD.

Next time we see the king of Nineveh wondering if “God will turn and repent”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

No Food or Drink by Decree Jonah 3:7

As the king of Nineveh heard the words and warning of Jonah, he and the people of Nineveh clothed themselves in “sackcloth”, and the king “sat in ashes” as well. In chapter three and verse seven of this prophesy, the king “caused to be proclaimed and published” that man nor beast should eat food or drink water where we read:

And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:

The verse begins, “And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying,...” The writer began with the phrase, “And he caused it to be proclaimed” which is the Hebrew word “za`aq” means “cried out, called for help, assembled and summoned” “and published” or “spoken, uttered, thought, commanded, promised and intended” “through Nineveh” or “the abode of Ninus and the capital of the ancient kingdom of Assyria” “by the decree” which means “taste, judgment and decision” “of the king” or “the royal and mater lectionis” “and his nobles” which refers to “those great, intense, older and more important” “saying” or “speaking, uttering, answering, thinking, commanding, promising and intending”. After humbling himself with “sackcloth and ashes”, the king and his most important men made a decree through the land of Nineveh.

The verse continues, “...Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:” The writer added, “Let neither man” which refers to “mankind or humans” “nor beast” which means “the animals, cattle, and livestock”, “herd” or “oxen, beeves of animals, cows, heifers or kine” “nor flock” which refers to “small cattle such as sheep and goats”, “taste any thing” or “try the flavor of or eat a little”: “let them not feed” which means “pasture, tend and graze” “nor drink” or “imbibe” “water” which means “waters or liquid refreshment”. The king's “decree” was for there to be a fast of both food and water for all people and animals in the land of Nineveh.

When we think through the words in this verse, we admire the extent to which this king demonstrated repentance. He not only conformed himself in a humble state, but he also called upon all his city to do so as well. We imagine the carrying out of this “decree” as the people heard and complied with it and had their animals to do so as well. When Jesus Christ calls people to “repent”, He does so that they might humble themselves unto His Salvation. Let this king's example be an inspiration to all of us who hear the LORD's call to change our ways, and may the Holy Spirit guide us to humble ourselves in this manner before Him.

Next time we see the king of Nineveh command that “men and beast be covered with sackcloth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Nineveh's King Covered in Sackcloth and Ashes Jonah 3:6

When Jonah cried out “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown”, the people of Nineveh “believed God”, “proclaimed a fast” and “put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them”. In chapter three and verse six of this prophesy, we see how “the king of Nineveh” “arose from his throne” and “covered himself in sackcloth and ashes” where we read:

For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne,

and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

The verse begins, “For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne,...” The writer began with the words, “For word” or “speech, speaking, sayings and utterance” “came” which means “touched, reached, struck and extended” “unto the king” who was “the royal and mater lectionis” “of Nineveh” which was “the abode of Ninus and the capital of the ancient kingdom of Assyria”, “and he arose” or “stood, came on the scene, established, confirmed, maintained and endured” “from his throne” which refers to “the king's seat of honor, royal dignity, seat and stool”. When the king of Nineveh received the warning from Jonah, he not only “believed God” but demonstrated his repentance by “arising from his throne”.

The verse continues, “...and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.” The writer added, “and he laid” which means “brought, alienated, carried and took away” “his robe” or “glory, cloak, splendor, magnificence, mantle and garment” “from him” which refers to the “king of Nineveh”, “and covered him” which means “concealed, clothed and overwhelmed himself” “with sackcloth” or “mesh or sacks for grain which were worn in mourning and humiliation”, “and sat” which means “dwelled, remained and abode” “in ashes” or “dust, earth and worthless burnt residue”. When the king “arose”, he humbled himself, lay aside his royal garments, put on “sackcloth” and “sat down in burnt ashes”.

When we meditate upon these words, we admire the “humility” of the great “king of Nineveh”. His humility should serve as an example of the way we should be when we are convicted by the LORD. In the book of Galatians in chapter three and verse twenty-four Paul the apostle wrote, “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith”, and if we are wise, we will hear the word of the LORD Jesus Christ ,“believe”, “fast” and humble ourselves before the One who came into this world to “save sinners”.

Next time we see the king of Nineveh's “proclamation”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

The People of Nineveh Believe God Jonah 3:5

After receiving the commission to go to Nineveh the second time, Jonah went into the city and proclaimed “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown”. In chapter three and verse five of this prophesy, we see how “the people of Nineveh believed God” where we read:

So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast,

and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

The verse begins, “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast,...” The writer began with the words, “So the people” or “men and strangers” “of Nineveh” which was “the abode of Ninus” and “ the capital of the ancient kingdom of Assyria” “believed” or “supported, confirmed and were faithful to” “God” who is “the ruler, judge and supreme deity”, “and proclaimed” which means “called out, recited, read and proclaimed” “a fast” or “denial of food or water”. When the people in Nineveh heard Jonah's doom-filled proclamation, they not only “confirmed the word of the LORD”, but also began a “fast” to demonstrate their sincerity.

The verse goes on to say, “and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.” The writer added, “and put” or “wore, were clothed with, arrayed with and dressed” “on sackcloth” which means “mesh or a sack for grain which was worn in mourning or humiliation”, “from the greatest” or “largest, most intense, loudest, oldest and most important” “of them” which refers to the people of Nineveh “even to the least of them” which refers to “the youngest, smallest, lesser of and most unimportant” the people of Nineveh”. Not only did the people of Nineveh “fast” but they also clothed themselves in “grain sacks” no matter how important or how inconsequential they were.

When we think through the words in this verse, we admire the reaction of the people of Nineveh. The LORD is willing to “warn” people before He judges them, and He is watching for their response. Jesus warned over and over again concerning eternity, and He desires for “everyone” to be with Him in heaven regardless of their station in life. Access to God is gained only by a relationship with Jesus Christ, and those who hear the still soft voice of the Holy Spirit of God calling them to Him do best when they respond in “repentance, fasting and prayer”. May the LORD Jesus sound His alarm once again, and let all who hear His voice respond and repent according to His perfect will.

Next time we see how the “king of Nineveh” repented before God, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Forty Days Till Nineveh Overthrown Jonah 3:4

As Jonah received “the word of the LORD” the second time, he arose and obeyed the commission to “go unto Nineveh... and preach unto it”. In chapter three and verse four of this prophesy, Jonah entered into Nineveh and told the people there “forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” where we read:

And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey,

and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

The verse begins, “And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey,...” The author began with the words, “And Jonah” whose name means “dove” “began to enter” or “profaned, defiled and made common in his entry, coming or going” “into the city” which means “town, place of waking and variance” “a day's journey” which refers to “one period of time from sunrise to sunset for walking”. As Jonah entered the city of Nineveh, he walked about a “day's journey” into the city before he began to say what the LORD told him.

The verse goes on to say, “...and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” The author continued, “and he cried” or “called out, recited, read and proclaimed with a loud sound” “and said” which means “spoke, uttered and told”, “Yet forty days” or “when forty working sunrises to sunsets have come” “and Nineveh” which means “abode of Ninus” and was “the capital of the ancient kingdom of Assyria” “shall be overthrown” or “turned, reversed, perverted, retired and tumbled”. Jonah's proclamation from “the LORD” was that Nineveh was to be “destroyed and conquered” in only “forty” day's time.

When we think about the words in this verse, we can imagine how difficult it was for Jonah to walk into the thriving city of Nineveh knowing he was going to proclaim their doom. After finally obeying the “word of the LORD”, Jonah “cried out” against Nineveh and warned them of being “overthrown”. Warnings from the LORD often accompany His pending judgment even as Jesus warned every person who lives - “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.” If we have not surrendered our lives to Jesus and asked Him to come into our hearts as Savior and LORD, let today be the day we receive His offerings and be rescued from the “judgment” to come.

Next time we see how the people of Nineveh “believed God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.