Some of the stories in the Bible are pretty downright crazy... and if it wasn't the Bible, how could you believe such a tale? Of Jonah being swallowed by a whale... living in a whale for 3 days in the ocean, and living to tell about it? I mean... think of the horror of that experience... It probably would be like swimming in a sewage tank... dank... foul... dark... with all kinds of dead fish and garbage that fish might eat... just staying afloat inside that fish and breathing seems like it would have been a chore. No light, no fresh air... no drinking water? I mean seriously... think about the logistics of this story... It's really unbelievable! And yet... IT REALLY HAPPENED! Jonah lived to tell the story...
As I look at this story I'm reminded of this thought:
"Natural impossibilities do not prevent the working of Omnipotence!"
So why did God go to such great lengths to save Nineveh... Here's some more words from Inspiration:
In the time of its temporal prosperity Nineveh was a center of crime and wickedness. Inspiration has characterized it as “the bloody city, ... full of lies and robbery.” In figurative language the prophet Nahum compared the Ninevites to a cruel, ravenous lion. “Upon whom,” he inquired, “hath not thy wickedness passed continually?” Nahum 3:1, 19.
Yet Nineveh, wicked though it had become, was not wholly given over to evil. He who “beholdeth all the sons of men” (Psalm 33:13) and “seeth every precious thing” (Job 28:10) perceived in that city many who were reaching out after something better and higher, and who, if granted opportunity to learn of the living God, would put away their evil deeds and worship Him. And so in His wisdom God revealed Himself to them in an unmistakable manner, to lead them, if possible, to repentance.
The instrument chosen for this work was the prophet Jonah, the son of Amittai. To him came the word of the Lord, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before Me.” Jonah 1:1, 2.
As the prophet thought of the difficulties and seeming impossibilities of this commission, he was tempted to question the wisdom of the call. From a human viewpoint it seemed as if nothing could be gained by proclaiming such a message in that proud city. He forgot for the moment that the God whom he served was all-wise and all-powerful. While he hesitated, still doubting, Satan overwhelmed him with discouragement.When God calls, it's wise we obey! And that's all the more I have to say...
Had the prophet obeyed unquestioningly, he would have been spared many bitter experiences, and would have been blessed abundantly. Yet in the hour of Jonah’s despair the Lord did not desert him. Through a series of trials and strange providences, the prophet’s confidence in God and in His infinite power to save was to be revived. (Prophets and Kings, p. 265-266)
Tomorrow's Reading: Jonah 3-4 and Revelation 11
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