09/01/2026
Happy Monday! We heard a great message from Pastor Todd yesterday, concluding our series about Jonah! We read Jonah 3 and Jonah 4.
God spoke to Jonah a second time. He told him to go to Nineveh. Jonah obeyed and went. It would take 3 days to go through the city. However, Jonah just went a day's journey. He told them, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” They believed God, and a fast was proclaimed, and all the Ninevites put on sackcloth.
Jonah was just checking the boxes, giving the bare minimum of information. He didn't mention to them how to repent or who would overthrow them or talk about God.
When the word reached the King, he covered himself in sackcloth. He told them not to let anyone or the animals drink or eat, but let them be covered with sackcloth. He told them to call on God and give up their evil ways. So that they wouldn't perish. When God saw them turn away, he relented and didn't do as he had threatened.
What a beautiful picture of complete repentance, despite what Jonah did.
Jonah thought God forgiving them was wrong, and he got angry. He knew God would be merciful. He said that was why he didn't want to go to Nineveh; he didn't want to see them saved. He told God to kill him. 4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah sat east of the city and waited in a shelter and waited to see what would happen. God grew a plant to shade Jonah. But then he provided a worm to eat the plant. Then it died, and the sun shined down on him, and he wanted to die. But he asked again if it was right for him to be angry.
And that's where it ends. We don’t get Jonah’s answer. Because that's not the point. The questions are addressed to us. Are you ok with the fact that God loves your enemy? The book of Jonah holds up a mirror to whoever reads it. We see the worst parts of ourselves, magnified. It should demonstrate humility and gratitude. Because God’s love is wide. And he does love our enemies.
God is in control! His plan is higher and greater than ours! Join us next week as Pastor Will and Kari come back from the Sabatical season! We want to see you there!
Renew-North Park
Sundays at 10 AM
308 1st Ave E, Jerome, ID 83338