Read:Jonah Goes to Nineveh; Chapter 3
Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, roclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:
“By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows?
God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
This is Jonah’s second chance. God asks Jonah once again to go to Nineveh. This time, Jonah delivers the message “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. (Jonah 3:4-5) When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.(Jonah 3:10)
Jonah does as God asked and the city of Nineveh is saved!! YAY!! All glory be to God!!
When we do what God asks of us, good things happen!
Dear God, We are so thankful for second chances. You generously provide multiple opportunities for us to obey You. We are so thankful for Your merciful ways and the times You save us from self destruction. Thank You for never giving up on us. In Jesus Name, Amen
