Individual and Group
Obviously Jonah is an individual who God chose to send a message to Nineveh. Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria, a hated enemy of the people of Israel. These are a group of people.
How can an individual save the whole city’s people? – The answer is By God’s WORDS. And after people heard God’s words, how they reacted. So approved the power of God’s words again.
First time in this chapter, God gave a message to Jonah, son of Amittai: Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.’’
Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time:’’ Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.’’
On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds:’’ Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!’’
When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. They declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.
When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.
How wisely Nineveh’s people are after I read Jonah, they fear God truly. And they believe God with action. Believe what Jonah said to them.
We are all interdependent, God chose us to have some effect also in different ways, maybe in the work or in the family. Fear God and listen to God’s words is the key to find meanings of life. Let’s pray for understanding and connect with God every day!
Amen.
