The walk would take three days. It was a journey he dreaded, but was compelled to still make. What choice did he have? His "no" and runaway attempt had landed him in the vilest place in the sea. Three days in the depth of the digestive system of the great fish, and Jonah reluctantly agreed to obey the Lord.
Ninevah was now about a hundred more yards ahead, and Jonah remained grumpy about his God-given assignment. He quickened his pace as he approached the city.
"The sooner I get this over with, the sooner I can get out of this forsaken city," he thought.
"In forty days your city will be overtaken, " he proclaimed continuously in the streets for the next twenty-four hours.
As the new day approached, Jonah noticed the people flocking into the streets. They were dressed in sackcloth. They were weeping and shouting, "Dress in sack clothes. Seek forgiveness from the Lord."
"What are you doing?" he asked a young man passing by.
"The king has given his orders. He is hoping your God will not bring the punishment we deserve if we seek forgiveness," the young man answered.
"Well that just figures," Jonah said, tightening his lips and squinting his eyes. He stomped through the crowds to find a place away from their repenting. Yes, indeed the Lord was once again faithful. The Lord did remove His coming judgment from the city of Ninevah because of their change of heart.
"I knew that you were going to do this, Lord," Jonah mumbled as he went east of the city and built a place of shade to sit under. "Oh just let me die, Lord, for certainly death is better for me then living."
As he sat pouting, a plant miraculously grew around him. It provided protection from the sun and the heat. Jonah leaned his head back as a smile began to form upon his face. He spent the night sleeping with a sense of peace that he had not had in quite some time.
As morning light beamed through cracks of the plant, Jonah awoke to the sound of chewing. The plant was infested with worms and began to collapse around him. He darted out from beneath the plant as it fell all around him. The sand assaulted his face as he gasped to catch his breath against the blazing heat causing his mouth to quickly dry up. Jonah cried out to the Lord, "I told you I would be better dead then alive."
"Jonah, are you listening to yourself? You are more upset about this plant then the 120,000 lives that would have been lost in Ninevah yesterday."
Placing his hand on his hip, Jonah rolled his eyes and said, "These people are so wicked. I told you when I was running to Tarshish that you would not destroy them if I came here. I knew if I told them about your coming judgment for their sin they would repent."
"Jonah, Jonah, Jonah. That is the point. It would have been nice if you had told these people with the right attitude, but despite your attitude, truth is still truth. You, my child, still need to understand the heart of true compassion. You took more pleasure in this plant, then the lives saved yesterday."
Jonah hung his head. He did not want to talk to the Lord anymore today. He walked away sadly thinking, "Why would the Lord use me to tell the good news to these people when he knew my heart was still not in the right place?" He knew Ninevah had been saved because of the power of the message and not because of who the messenger had been.
Isn't there a little of Jonah in each of us? We may dictate to the Lord the ways in which we believe it is best for him to answer our prayers. Many times we grumble because the circumstances of life did not turn out as we desired. Instead, we need to be ready to hear the Lord's Word and respond as the people in Ninevah did.
» left by Robert Melaccio, Sr.(6,317) Robert Melaccio, Sr. (218 days 23 hours ago.)
Yes the power of Gods Word is awesome.Words we know are life changing. I happen to think there was more in these Words that perhaps need to be embellished. First the warning came from God. Secondly the people were receptive. That is they believed. Third as you mentioned the messenger did not matter. It was a 'trust' that what was said will be done. Quite frankly do we not hope for the same in our leaders? The answer to that is trust no man and you shall know them by their works. It is evident they knew God as of His Word. Good job. Respond to this comment
» left by Lorrie Davids(5,419) Lorrie Davids (218 days 23 hours ago.)
Beckie, you have a way with making a story come to life. Thanks for sharing your talent with me. I look forward to reading more from you. My family and I have discussed how Jonah ends. Not what most people expect, but definately reality. Respond to this comment
» left by Marita Thelander from Washington (218 days 23 hours ago.)
Well written message, here. The story of Jonah always reminds me of how selfish we can be when we think Gid should do something different from what He planned or desires. Respond to this comment
» left by Regina from San Jose,Ill (218 days 22 hours ago.)
Beckie, i like the story and the way you write makes it so interesting to read.This a gift from God and im so excited for you that the stories are being published.I will be looking for the next story.Keep up the good work. Respond to this comment
» left by Laura Shaw from Dallas TX (218 days 22 hours ago.)
There's more than a LITTLE Jonah in me...there's a LOTTA Jonah in me! Excellent story with a convicting message. Respond to this comment
» left by Jennifer Maggio from Baton Rouge, LA (218 days 21 hours ago.)
We must always remember that all things are done through Christ. It doesnt matter who we are but WHOSE we are. Respond to this comment
» left by Julie from Illinois (218 days 18 hours ago.)
Beckie, Thanks for making me take an honest look at my own heart and my own practices of showing mercy. I am thankful His mercies are new every morning. Respond to this comment
» left by Jennifer from Washington (218 days 15 hours ago.)
Great job Beckie! Keep writing! What a wonderful outlet for expressing the talent that God gave you! Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa Ortiz(4,608) Teresa Ortiz (218 days 11 hours ago.)
Hi Becky, so nice to meet you. What a gift God has given you to retell the story so that it comes to life and causes a heart to reflect. It certainly did mine. This is an old saying but so true: Mercy is what I want when I sin, but Justice is what I want when someone else sins. I look forward to reading more. God bless you! Teresa Respond to this comment
» left by Elsie G. Burdge from Lafayette, N. J. (215 days 21 hours ago.)
Hi Beckie, I am very proud of you. I enjoyed your articles.
God Bless, Love Mom Respond to this comment
» left by Joni from Illinois (215 days 20 hours ago.)
Keep up the good work, Beckie. I loved this story also. Thanks for reminding us to do a check up on our own hearts. Respond to this comment
» left by Tina Picken from San Jose, IL (214 days 4 hours ago.)
Yes we sure do all have a little Jonah in us don't we? Thank God for his patience and grace to each of us as we all work on that daily! Good Story!
» left by Catrina from Georgia (206 days 11 hours ago.)
You gave Jonah such personality - just love it! And can see it in me too, just like you said. Great message, Beckie!! And super writing. Respond to this comment
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