The Church that Love Builds
Pastor's Perspective:
Jonah
We all know the general outline of the story of Jonah. God calls him to go to Nineveh to proclaim their wickedness to them. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, one of Israel’s most hated and feared enemies. Jonah was unwilling to go, so he headed west, toward Tarshish, which is modern-day Spain. Once on board a ship, there was a great storm. The sailors all sensed that the storm was some kind of divine punishment, and wonder who had committed such a major sin as to bring this calamity upon them. They cast lots to find out who the culprit was, and Jonah was found out.
They threw him overboard and he was swallowed by a great fish. He was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. Jonah uttered a praiseful prayer from within the fish, and the LORD had the fish vomit Jonah onto the shore.
Again God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and proclaim a message. This time Jonah obeyed. When he arrived in the middle of the great city, Jonah declared to the inhabitants that in 40 days the city would be overthrown. The Ninevites believed Jonah’s prophecy and repented of all their sins. God saw how these Assyrians had turned from their evil ways, and had a change of mind; Nineveh was spared.
At this point in the story, Jonah became very angry. He tells God that his resistance to go at his first call was because he was worried that God would end up forgiving the despised Ninevites. Jonah is furious that the God of Israel would have mercy on their foes.
Then God caused a bush to grow over Jonah to cool him in the sun, and then caused it to wither, so Jonah was hot. Jonah complained about being deprived of shade. God then asked the central question in the book: if Jonah is so concerned about one bush that he had not created, should God not be concerned about Nineveh and its people, which were the part of God’s creation?
This book is a parable of God’s outrageous mercy. Even people as sinful as ourselves can count on God’s forgiveness. That is the promise of the book of Jonah. And it is the promise of Christ.
Next month…Micah
We all know the general outline of the story of Jonah. God calls him to go to Nineveh to proclaim their wickedness to them. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, one of Israel’s most hated and feared enemies. Jonah was unwilling to go, so he headed west, toward Tarshish, which is modern-day Spain. Once on board a ship, there was a great storm. The sailors all sensed that the storm was some kind of divine punishment, and wonder who had committed such a major sin as to bring this calamity upon them. They cast lots to find out who the culprit was, and Jonah was found out.
They threw him overboard and he was swallowed by a great fish. He was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. Jonah uttered a praiseful prayer from within the fish, and the LORD had the fish vomit Jonah onto the shore.
Again God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and proclaim a message. This time Jonah obeyed. When he arrived in the middle of the great city, Jonah declared to the inhabitants that in 40 days the city would be overthrown. The Ninevites believed Jonah’s prophecy and repented of all their sins. God saw how these Assyrians had turned from their evil ways, and had a change of mind; Nineveh was spared.
At this point in the story, Jonah became very angry. He tells God that his resistance to go at his first call was because he was worried that God would end up forgiving the despised Ninevites. Jonah is furious that the God of Israel would have mercy on their foes.
Then God caused a bush to grow over Jonah to cool him in the sun, and then caused it to wither, so Jonah was hot. Jonah complained about being deprived of shade. God then asked the central question in the book: if Jonah is so concerned about one bush that he had not created, should God not be concerned about Nineveh and its people, which were the part of God’s creation?
This book is a parable of God’s outrageous mercy. Even people as sinful as ourselves can count on God’s forgiveness. That is the promise of the book of Jonah. And it is the promise of Christ.
Next month…Micah
Comment
About
© 2010 Created by Emanuel Lutheran.
Powered by 
.
You need to be a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church to add comments!
Join Emanuel Lutheran Church