As
Jonah sat sweltering in the heat of the “vehement east-wind”
prepared by the LORD, he grieved over the destruction of the
“gourd” that sheltered him. The LORD asked him if he did
“well to be angry for the gourd?”, and when Jonah
responded that he did “even unto death”, God reasoned with
him about his “pity for the gourd” that “came up in a
night, and perished in a night” for
which he neither “labored” or “made grow”. In
chapter four and verse eleven of this prophesy, God asked Jonah
“Should I not spare Nineveh” where we read:
And
should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than
six-score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right
hand and their left hand; and also
much cattle?
The
verse begins, “And should not I spare Nineveh, that great
city,...” The writer began
with the words, “And should not I spare”
which refers to “shouldn't the LORD regard, pity and look upon with
compassion” “Nineveh”
which means “the abode of Ninus” and was “the capital of the
ancient kingdom of Assyria”, “that great city”
or “that large, intense, loud and important town and guarded place
of waking”. Since Jonah had “compassion and pity” upon a simple
“gourd”, doesn't it make sense that God would have “compassion
and pity” upon a “the great city of Nineveh”?
The
verse goes on to say, “wherein are more than six-score
thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and
their left hand; and also much cattle?” The
writer continued, “wherein are more than”
or “substantially numerous, many, enlarged and increased above”
“six-score thousand”
or “one hundred and twenty thousand” “persons”
which means “mankind or human beings” “that cannot
discern” which means “know,
perceive, see, find out, discriminate and distinguish”
“their right hand” or “the
hand on the right side of the body” “and their left
hand” which means “the hand
on the left side of the body”; “and also much” “many,
abounding, great and strong” “cattle”
which refers to “beasts, animals and livestock”. The idea of the
one hundred and twenty thousand people who could not “discern”
between their “right”
and “left” hands
is “children” who are naive to these things. These were innocent
children located all over the city of Nineveh, and there were
“cattle” there as
well that were not responsible for the reprehensible behavior of
which was repented.
When
we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see the “graciousness”
and “mercy” of our loving Heavenly Father. God knew the children
who lived in the city of Nineveh, and He knew there were “animals”
that were not responsible for the wicked behavior of the city. The
LORD was ready to “spare” the city of Nineveh not only
because of their repentance, but also because there were innocent
ones who lived there. The LORD Jesus is “compassionate and
merciful” upon those who are innocent today, and he desires those
who act wickedly to turn from their ways and cling to Him. Although
we do not know what eventually happened with Jonah, we certainly know
how and why the LORD extended His “grace” to Nineveh. Perhaps
those reading this entry will see the “compassion and pity” of
our LORD and turn to Jesus to His extended hand of Salvation while it
may be gained.
Next
time we begin a new book named “Titus”
and
see what Paul the apostle wrote to him, 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.
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