An Unwilling Messenger

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: ² “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

³ Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. ⁴ Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” ⁵ The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

⁶ When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. ⁷ This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:

“By the decree of the king and his nobles:

Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. ⁸ But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. ⁹ Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”

¹⁰ When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah 3:1-1-0

Background

Nineveh was a major commercial and cultural hub.  It was located on the Tigris.  And populated primarily by Assyrians.  The city was astray.  Rebellious and sinful living.  Judgment had been earned.

God had weighed it all.  Seen it all.  He measured the heart of the city.  And all was not good.  It was time. 

For a last chance. 

A messenger was needed.  And in heaven’s design center – where each life and story is carefully crafted.  And where special purposes. And assignments are wonderfully designed.  Another unlikely character was chosen – Jonah.  Stubborn.  Hard-headed.  Brazen.  The delivery of this message was Jonah’s assignment.  

Yes, another scriptural story assignment where the roles were…well…a head scratcher.

He was neither an Assyrian (living over 500 miles away)…nor was he willing to extend grace.  Jonah had seen enough.  The story does little to form the reasons for his resentment.  But his emotions and pov’s were strong.  The fact patterns that formed his view were cemented. And he wanted no part of a compassionate script.  In Jonah’s mind Nineveh had earned only one option.  It wasn’t empathy.  It was judgment. 

So.  One of scripture’s most surprising stories emerged.  A last chance of grace was to be delivered by a tourist.  A very unwilling messenger.  A messenger summoned. A messenger that fled.

Quite the strategy.

This message I suspect was ultimately delivered with fierceness.  Heavy on judgment.  Sins.  Infractions.  Directness. Light on warmth.  Empathy. Tact. 

I have so often wondered – “Why on earth was Jonah selected?

I prefer my biblical protagonists to be likeable.  Jonah? Not so much. 

In reflection, I wonder if it is possible that God simply selected the messenger best aligned with carrying out His mission.  This was a hard assignment.  The Ninevites were hard people. Their attention was mesmerized by idols. This assignment required a strong personality.  To call out the infractions.  The waywardness.  The necessity of repentance.  Straight talk.  With an edge.  Nineveh needed a fierce and fiery delivery.  No punches held back.

Enter Jonah.

Reflections

It is easy to shake our heads when reading Jonah.  Becoming even amused at this seemingly misplaced rebellious bible character. 

I frequently think and dream about my purpose.  What is my assignment?  What if I just miss it?  What if I don’t figure it out?  What if I’m not good enough?  Almost like a real-life escape room.  I have to connect the dots.  Solve the problems.  Pay close attention to the clues.  Yes.  You might recognize that my theology frequently assigns a belief that my performance is the key to unlock the mystery.

Hmmm…

The story of Jonah couldn’t be more different.   In the celestial design center, a purpose was assigned to Jonah’s life mission.  An important role.  In this case there wasn’t a Plan B.  There was only one messenger planned.  God pursued Jonah.  With tenacity.  

Beyond the entertainment value, what does Jonah’s story tell me?

One, God uses enormously flawed and imperfect people.  Like me.  That gives me hope.

Two, nothing will avert or deny God’s plan.  He is relentless in the pursuit of his authored story lines.  That reminds me of His power.  No obstacle or resistance has a chance.

Three, God offers grace to those that we believe have earned judgment.  That reminds me to similarly offer grace.  Even to those I believe I have earned another “prize”.

Lastly, God is relentless in guiding us towards our purposeful assignments.  And that reminds me to loosen up.  Worry less.  Surrender. And trust that He is a good father who will guide me towards my assignment.   In His timing.

Lord, too frequently when I have read the Jonah story I have proudly wondered why he was such a knucklehead.  But.  You know.  I am all too similar.  I’m sorry.  Use me.  Please.  Including my imperfections.  My failings.  Help me to live a life that seeks to extend your grace.  For so many years I have assigned judgment.  Remembered the hurts.  The words.  Continue to transform my heart.  Please.

Also, draw my heart to the Ninevites in our world.  And to offer your grace.

Lastly, help me to surrender.  To shake off this performance focused thinking.  That too often has guided my approach to relationships.  Even my theology.  I surrender my purpose to you.  In your timing.

Amen.

What if God’s sovereign plan for you (or me) was to similarly extend grace or a message of redemption to a wayward community?  What and where might that community be?

What if I began to live a life of surrender, believing that God’s plan for me will not be thwarted?  Is it possible that peace and joy could be more easily experienced?