January 7, 2016
This is the peak moment in the story of Jonah. God commissioned Jonah, but Jonah fled. God pursued Jonah, and Jonah relented and accepted the commission (after almost drowning). Jonah proclaimed hope/warning to Nineveh, and Nineveh repented. God “repented,” and Jonah… One might expect Jonah to rejoice, but this is not what Jonah does. Instead, […]
2 Comments |
Biblical Texts | Tagged: Exodus 34:6-7, Gentiles, God Creed, Israel, Jonah 4:1-4, Mercy, Resentment, Uncovenanted Mercies |
Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
December 10, 2015
Perhaps it is the shortest sermon in the Bible, but it might also be the most effective: “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” Only five words in Hebrew, it is terse, and it also appears rather unenthusiastic. It appears in Jonah more like a wish-announcement rather than one delivered with evangelistic fervor. But […]
No Comments » |
Biblical Texts | Tagged: Faith, Jonah, Jonah 3:3-6, Mercy, Nations, Nineveh, Repentance, Uncovenanted Mercies |
Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
December 4, 2015
Jonah got a second chance. Yahweh commissioned him a “second time” even though Jonah willfully, deliberately, absolutely, and defiantly told God “No!” and rejected the first commission. Yahweh said, “Go to Nineveh,” and Jonah got on a boat to Tarshish in the opposite direction. Yahweh said, “Be my messenger of grace to lost souls,” and […]
1 Comment |
Biblical Texts | Tagged: Deliverance, Jonah, Jonah 3:1-3, Mercy, Peter, Prophets |
Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
October 24, 2015
Jonah refused God’s commission, but that was not the end of the story. God pursued Jonah. The narrative begins with God’s call (Jonah 1:2), moves to Jonah’s refusal by flight (Jonah 1:3), and now God pursues Jonah through wind, storm, and fish. Back-and-forth, God invites and Jonah refuses until Jonah, in the belly of the […]
No Comments » |
Biblical Texts | Tagged: Jonah, Jonah 1:4-6, Mercy, Providence, Storm |
Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks