Jonah 3: Rich in Mercy

​Key Verse
10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
 
Meditation
God is mercy. The person and work of Jesus guarantees inexhaustible mercy for all who believe because God is “rich in mercy,” with “great love” towards His people! (Ephesians 2:4) God’s mercy revealed through Jesus is for disobedient disciples (like Peter), rebellious prophets (like Jonah), disenchanted women (like Naomi), and pagans (like the Ninevites).  
 
In today’s reading, God extends mercy to Jonah and through Jonah to the Ninevites. Two powerful phrases capture the core of God’s covenant faithfulness:
 
“The word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time…” (2)
“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented…” (10) 
 
With the prophet Micah we ask, who is this God of second chances, rich enough in mercy to forgive His unfaithful people and evil enemies? (see Micah 7:18-20) The answer is found in God’s unchanging character- God is mercy. God is also faithful to keep His covenant promises.
 
“God is merciful and gracious… abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…” (Exodus 34:6).  The same language used to describe God’s mercy for Nineveh (v 10) is also used to describe God’s mercy for the Israelites after they created the golden calves in the wilderness (Exodus 32:14). God’s mercy is for both His unfaithful people and for His enemies, everyone who repents and turns to Him. 
 
Jesus guarantees God’s endless supply of mercy. In Christ, and with Jeremiah, we proclaim:
 
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end- they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness!” Lamentations 3:22-23
 
Today’s Reading
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth.  4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.

The People of Nineveh Repent
6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”

10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the mercy of God for both Jonah and the enemies of God?
 
-God is merciful and gracious, so rich in mercy that He wants you to lavish in His love. Where do you need to repent and humble yourself to return and receive mercy? Who do you need to pray for- an enemy of God- to receive His mercy? 
 
-Jesus is the full picture of mercy, satisfying God’s wrath against sin through His work on the cross and extending grace to all who believe. Jesus makes us alive together with the Lord! Where (specifically) can experience the resurrection reality of God’s mercy through showing mercy to someone else- extending God’s mercy as Jonah did?
 
Key Verse
10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.