Have you ever been given a ‘second chance’? I mean a really big ‘second chance’ to redeem yourself; or do or be a part of something significant? Come with me back to the seaside town of Joppa, Israel, about the year 759bc. You’ll remember we’ve been traveling with Jonah and thus far it’s been one of those unrealistic, unimaginable journeys!
It’s described for us in a short book Jonah himself wrote, recounting his experience of hearing God’s clear assignment to go to Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria, and warn them that God’s judgment was soon coming if they did not repent of their wickedness.
But Jonah did not want God to show the Assyrians ANY mercy, not even a shred of mercy, for their army was famous for brutality and viciousness beyond description. Besides, Jonah was a good Hebrew, and good Jews had nothing to do with wicked Gentiles, right?