“THE INABILITY TO FORGIVE”
During the days of the prophet Jonah, the Assyrian empire was beginning to exert itself on the world scene. The Lord commanded Jonah to go to the capital city Nineveh and warn them of the wrath that was to come. Jonah went the other way. He is not portrayed as a man lacking in courage. When the men on the ship with him found out that he was trying to flee from the presence of God, they were greatly afraid (Jonah 1:10). Jonah told them to throw him over in order to save their lives (verse 12). The men tried to keep rowing but the battle was useless. They then threw Jonah over the side and the sea ceased its raging.
The chapter closes with Jonah in the belly of the great fish that was prepared by God. The skeptics and others of like mind have often discounted this book because of the great fish that swallowed Jonah. The fish was prepared by God and Jonah’s life was sustained by God for three days and nights while in the belly of the whale. Jesus validated the account by saying He would be in the earth three days and three nights like Jonah was (Matthew 12:40). The book is inspired and the record is accurate.
When we come to chapter three, Jonah is delivered from the whale’s belly and is on his way to Nineveh. He goes into the city a day’s journey and proclaims the coming destruction (Jonah 3:4). In forty days God would destroy the city and all the inhabitants. Let us speak freely of the grace and mercy of God. God destroyed all humanity with a universal flood as recorded in Genesis 6-8. Yet for a 120 years God extended His mercy through the preaching of Noah (I Peter 3:19,20). The world rejected His offer and everyone, except eight souls, perished in the flood. Who could argue against the mercy and grace of God for the 120 years in which He tried to save all humanity.
The time period here is greatly reduced. It is not 120 years but 40 days. The time element of 40 days is still a manifestation of the mercy and grace of God. From the king on down, everyone went the route of sackcloth and ashes, that is repentance (Jonah 3:6,7). It was not just a proclamation on paper. The king commanded every one to turn from their evil way (verse 8). In this we see a clear definition of repentance. They changed their mind (proclamation) that led to a change in their lifestyle (turning from every evil way). They did not know if God would accept their repentance or not (verse 9). The joy we find is that in verse 10, God did delay the destruction.
God saw their works in that they turned from their evil way. Heaven then takes note of what takes place on planet earth. The foolish idea that God resides in heaven and has nothing to do with humanity is a rejection of His revealed will. Note again in verse ten, those words, “…God saw their works.” God watches what everyone does whether they are His children or not. Peter shows us that God is not willing that any should perish (II Peter 3:9). God extends His grace and mercy through His Son, Jesus the Christ. That mercy and grace is based on our willingness to be taught by Jesus (Titus 2:11,12).
As the fourth chapter of Jonah opens up, we find Jonah angry that God did not kill the people of Nineveh. The anger could have risen from the history of the Assyrian people and the people of Israel. Whatever the reason Jonah wanted them dead, even though they had repented. Jesus declared that the repentance of the people of Nineveh was real (Matthew 12:41). If their repentance was real because they accepted the offer of God’s mercy and grace, should not Jonah have been delighted? No matter what the people had said (proclamation) and no matter what they did (in turning from evil) Jonah was not satisfied. He wanted them dead.
Are there people out there who you demand that they should repent of what they have done? In light of Jonah, would you be satisfied if they did repent or would you want them to suffer? I read one article where there was a call to repentance followed by even the words that the individuals should use in repentance. You have to say what I want you to say; say it in the same way I want you to say it, and then act like I want you to act, and then I will forgive you. Such a mindset reflects an inability to forgive.