The LORD's Word a Second Time Jonah 3:1

After praying to God and admitting that “they who observe lying vanities forsake their own mercies”, “the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land”. In chapter three and verse one of this prophesy, “the word of the LORD came” to Jonah again where we read:

And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,

The verse begins, “And the word of the LORD...” The author began with the words, “And the word” or “speech and utterance” “of the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the one true God”. As we begin the third chapter of this prophesy, we understand it is God Almighty who is about to speak once again.

The verse goes on to say, “...came unto Jonah the second time, saying,” The author continued, “came unto” which means “God's word was presented and conferred to, ” “Jonah” whose name means “dove” “the second time” or “another, other and as an additional instance” “saying” which means “uttering, commanding, presenting, avowing and avouching”. “The LORD” gave Jonah a “second” opportunity to hear what He wanted Jonah to do.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see the persistence of “the LORD” to “command and commission” Jonah. Though Jonah resisted and rejected the first chance to obey the LORD, after much persuasion, Jonah was given another opportunity. Perhaps the LORD Jesus has persistently given commands to us, and His will has been presented to us over and over again. We can take great pleasure in knowing we have a prevailing and persevering God, and if we have rejected and resisted His directives, let this be our day to hear Him calling out to us once again.

Next time we see the LORD tell Jonah to “arise and go to Nineveh” again, 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.