Listening to God's VoiceSample

Example 2: The People of Nineveh Took God's Words Seriously

“Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.” (Jonah 3:4-5)

God instructed the prophet Jonah, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before Me.” As punishment for their sin, God would overthrow Nineveh. That idea was quite appealing to Jonah, for his own people were at war with Nineveh. Nevertheless, the prophet tried to get out from under his commission. His reason for doing so was, “I knew that You are a gracious and merciful God, patient and rich in mercy, Who repents of evil.” (Jonah 4:2) Jonah suspected that God would not carry out His judgment in the end. And he was proven right!

As soon as Jonah delivered his message of doom, the inhabitants of Nineveh were in sackcloth and ashes. They took God's words extremely seriously and feared for their lives. In a last attempt to avert judgment, their king gave the order, “Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish.” (Jonah 3:8-9) When God saw the change in their behavior, He did not carry out His punishment.

What do you think of this story? Do you sympathize with Jonah or not at all?