JONAH SERIES: A SECOND CHANCE

CHAPTER 3
As a result of his near-death experience, Jonah repented for his rebellion and disobedience, and he is now ready to answer the call. His new attitude reminds me of the songs, “Lord, whatever you are doing, don’t do it without me” and “Lord, I’m available to you.” After chastisement and learning the correct way to respond to a Godly assignment, Jonah can attest the words of David in Psalms 119:71, “It is good that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” His time of correction put him back on the right road. Hence, Jonah 3:1-3 says, “And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.” Aren’t you glad our merciful God will come and speak to us a second time? He continuously gives us opportunities to get it right.

The Bible reveals that it takes three days to travel through Nineveh. On his first day of travel through the city, Jonah starts declaring the word of judgment God gave him, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”

Also, the Bible reveals the Ninevites believed the judgment message from God and the king declared a fast for everyone (man and beast), to humble themselves in sackcloth, repent from their evil ways and cease from their violence. Consequently, the sincerity of the Ninevites canceled the pending judgment. A second chance was not only given to Jonah but also Nineveh, and in this text, God shows us His love, compassion, and mercy is not for just one nationality but for all who will serve Him.

Finally, the lesson to be learned from chapter 3 is: you can receive a second chance from God if you are willing to be submissive to His instructions.