Last night we began the Summer series of teachings by looking at the first of three messengers of God in three different cities: Jonah, in Nineveh. Here’s the outline notes of the study with the references we read:
God’s “pity” in Jonah 4:10-11
What is this “pity” God speaks of in Jonah 4? This calls for deep reflection. For instance, in verses like Deuteronomy 7:16 and Ezekiel 7:4 God calls for “no pity” on the unrepenting. Clearly, in scripture, God brings judgement on those working evil, failing to repent, and thereby deserving wrath.
But then, see verse like these also:
- Ezekiel 18:23-32 – He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, so turn and live!
- Lam 3:33 – He does not willingly afflict the children of men
- 2 Peter 3:1-9 – He is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance
And see also Joel 2:12-19 – God calls for repentance, and when His people do, He blesses.
This Joel passage parallels Jonah: God would have brought judgment on Nineveh, righteously, but when they repented He quickly shows mercy instead. He shows that His preference is to pity in response to repentance. He wants to preserve His creation to be aligned with His will and bring Him glory and receive His blessings. (Notice, for instance, Jonah 2:8 – God cares that they’re forsaking their own mercy!)
God is always seeking repentance from broken people: see Mt 3:1, Lk 24:47, Acts 17:30 (Rom 3:25)
Challenges:
- Is our heart like God’s? (God loves humans.) When we encounter a godless culture, do we want to see repentance, or destruction…?
- Do we want to see God’s will done on the earth?
- How do we respond to the command to go?
What we want determines what we do…? If Jonah had wanted them to repent, he would have gone. - Do we see God’s pity on us (ch 2) and extend the same?
The Gospel: Rom 8:32 – God could “spare/pity” Niniveh, and us, because He “spared” not His own Son.