Context: Jonah attempted to frustrate God’s mission to obtain Nineveh’s repentance by jumping off the ship that was transporting him there. Jonah was swallowed by a large fish (sea monster), regretted his disobedience, and called out to God, Who then commanded the fish to spew Jonah out. God then reinstated the mission. Jonah journeyed as previously commanded preaching for Nineveh to repent. Nineveh repented of their evil ways and God spared them.
Jonah’s Historically Correct Reluctance
Assyria was the regional power of the time. Its Empire grew because of a brutal army. Nineveh, modern day Mosul in Iraq, was the Empire’s capital city. (Modernly we remember Mosul as the city to where ISIS terrorists retreated before being overwhelmingly defeated in June 2017).
Jonah understood Assyria was poised to attack Northern Israel, the area containing the 10 Northern Israeli Tribes. He worried that if Nineveh repented, God would relent his punishment of Assyria and that after some time, Assyria would abandon its repentance, and attack and destroy his beloved tribe of Zebulun along with the other nine.
Historically, Jonah was correct. Assyria repented in 760 BC but then recanted and attacked the 10 Northern tribes of Israel in 722 BC, dispersing them throughout its Empire one generation later, exactly as Jonah had feared.
Some Lessons from Today’s Reflection on Jonah’s Mission
First, we note that God’s justice provided for the destruction of Nineveh, but its repentance gained God’s mercy. Jonah likewise repented of his original disobedience, and God gave Jonah a second chance. For both Assyria and Jonah, God was patient and offered a chance to repent.
Nineveh’s response was communal in that all fasted and prayed and were even joined by their King providing the imprimatur of approval. God’s mercy then followed this extraordinary repentance even though Assyria did not worship the God of Israel.
We then contrast the 10 Northern Kingdom Tribes of Israel who at the same time persisted in engaging in idolatry, worshiping pagan gods, even as its own prophets had repeated called for repentance.
This historical event highlights not that Jonah was ‘right’ about Assyria subsequently invading Northern Israel, but rather that the events of that time contrast an alien empire that repents, distinguished from sons of Israel who do not. As a result, God later permits Assyria to disperse the Northern Tribes precisely because of their failure to stamp out idolatrous behavior.
Applying This Message Today
If an evil empire can repent based on the words of a reluctant prophet, how much more should we respond to Jesus, and His call for our repentance?
Today’s reading ought to remind us of God’s mercy and our need to repent. Like Jonah, it should begin with each of us individually, so we can reach others. The communal aspect of the Assyrian repentance demonstrates the need for all of us as a global community, including nonbelievers—to repent from immorality, aggression, and violence.
Today’s message: God’s forgiveness is always available even for those who do the greatest of evils. Our response ultimately determines whether or when we will receive it.
