This week the High Holy Days begin. They are also called the "Days of Awe." Awe is way of describing fear of God.
As a Jew I have failed to keep the Mosaic Law, the laws required in the Torah. Is there any Jew who has? So I fear devine condemnation.
As a Jew I do not believe that my repentance is adequate. Is there any Jew who does? So I continue to fear Devine condemnation.
Does God want us to live in fear? The prophet Jonah knew God, so what can we learn from him?
Jonah knew of Lord's grace & mercy from the beginning.
Jonah 1:1-3 -- Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai (Truth), saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
Jonah knew the end from the beginning...
Jonah 4.2 -- "And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster."
So what was Jonah thinking when he ran from the presence of God? What was he thinking when he told the sailors to throw him overboard? After the "great fish" (Gadol Dawg) that the Lord appointed, saved Jonah, why did he change his mind?
Why did Jonah decide to go to Nineveh to tell them what the Lord said was going to happen in 40 days? Jonah tells us:
Jonah 2.8 (ESV) -- Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.
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| Jonah waiting and watching |
Jonah didn't expect the people of Nineveh to repent! He expected their destruction!!
Jonah knew God, but he misjudged the people of Nineveh. They didn't wait 40 days. They immediately repented.
The people of Nineveh heard God. They feared the God of Israel. They recieved mercy for their repentance. Jonah on the otherhand, grew very angry when his plant died. So angry that he wanted to die.
Jonah knew, 2.9 - "Salvation comes from the Lord", so what was Jonah still missing?
Jonah 4.10 -- But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
God explained to Jonah that the people of Nineveh didn't understand! The moment they heard God and repented, they recieved God's mercy.
Jonah thought the Lord sent him to announce the destruction of Nineveh. But God had a different plan. Like Joseph told his brothers when they came to him in Egypt:
Genesis 50:19-21 -- But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
We read the Book of Jonah on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. For over 50 years I read the Book of Jonah and I knew there was a message we were missing. I read it over & over until I finally got it and when I finally did, fear left.
Though we fear God, surely Jonah was a sign that through repentance in God's love we can cast off the fear of condemnation. What would the people of Nineveh say?
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
