The Big Fish Experience: Part 2 By Pastor Luis R. Scott After Jonah had a couple of days to meditate on his refusal to go to Nineveh, he decided to accept God’s invitation to spend a few days in the great Babylonian metropolis. Several reasons have been given for Jonah’s refusal to go to Nineveh. But regardless of Jonah’s personal reasons, one thing was certain—Jonah believed his trip to Nineveh would be a waste of time. Let us take a look at Jonah’s reasoning. In Jonah chapter three the prophet delivered God’s message to the people of Nineveh. The Ninevites believed Jonah’s message and repented of their sins. The people humbled themselves before God with sincere hearts. God accepted the people’s repentance and spared them from His judgment. Then, in chapter four Jonah said these words: ““O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country?” Apparently, after Jonah received God’s command to go to Nineveh, he had a conversation with God that went like this: “God, I really do not want to go to Nineveh because I know how YOU are. If the people repent you will go wobbly on them and YOU will spare them of their judgment. And I do not believe you should spare them from your judgment. I believe they should get what they have coming to them. Jonah described God as a forgiving God, and this was his basis for disobedience. Read it with me: “That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster” (Jonah 4:2). WOW. Jonah really, really, knew God. Jonah really believed that God was good. Now listen carefully. Jonah did not disobey God because he was rebellious against God. Actually, Jonah is the only case in the Bible in which a person was disobedient to God BECAUSE is GOOD. Most people are disobedient to God for a host of selfish reasons. But not Jonah! Jonah knew God very well. Jonah knew God so well that he anticipated God’s forgiveness even before he left Israel. Jonah disobeyed God precisely because he knew of God’s goodness. Don’t make the same mistake. God is good. He will lead to a good place. Obey and follow Him. Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Jul 2013 13:59:32 +0000
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