Never in Nineveh!

We can imagine how Jonah, the stubborn prophet, would answer questions in Nineveh long ago on a talk show. The program host (MC) welcomes Brother Jonah: "Our next guest has been directed by the Lord to lay the axe to the root of the tree. Every person must repent at once! Before we discuss that, let me ask you, Jonah, about your journey. I hear that you were shipwrecked and then picked up by a special submarine!"

The audience snickers. Jonah speaks: "Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" MC: "Brother, we appreciate your great burden. Friends, we have here one of the most devoted persons in missionary work today!" Applause.

MC: "Jonah, we do want to hear what the Lord has laid on your heart, but many are concerned about Israel's economic problems. Can they curb inflation?" Jonah: "Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" MC: "Friends, the hour is indeed late. You have only a month and ten days to request our latest sermon cassette offer! Our nation is in deep trouble and it really is your patriotic duty to send us $100 at once for this album."

"Now, back to you, Brother Jonah. Tell us about the heathen sailors whom you led to the Lord during the storm at sea. We must invite those sailors to share their testimony on a telecast very soon, and I believe this great audience will agree." Applause. Jonah: "Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"

JONAH'S REPEATED APPEAL

MC: "We must pause to promote our tour to Hawaii. Please stay tuned; we shall be right back for more disturbing, I mean to say exciting words, from our special guest, Jonah, the son of Amittai. Don't go away!" Applause follows, the tour announcement and more applause. "Our trip to Hawaii last year really was a blast. We took our camera crew and did some shows. The salt water sort of gets to you - right, Jonah?"

Jonah repeats: "Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" The MC clears his throat and says, "Jonah, you have come to grips with the issue faced by countless youth: how to find and follow the will of God. Would you say it is risky to trifle with Him, even disobey His call to mission work?" Jonah: "Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" MC: "Friends, have you ever seen a man so burdened? God bless you, Brother Jonah! Now get this: our guest has written a new song on his way here. We urge you to contact us for a copy. Jonah actually composed this one beneath the waves! It boldly asserts that salvation is of the Lord."

MC continues: "The big fish could not handle that heavy theology! No sir - the next thing Jonah knew, the fish disgorged him right here on our shores!" The people applaud and Jonah says again: "Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" MC: "You regular viewers know that we stay up-to-date on headline news, but Jonah's survival tops them all! We must say that the day of miracles is not done yet." Jonah: "Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"

LORD, HELP US LEARN!

MC: "My, how quickly the time has passed on today's show. It really has been our privilege to have you with us, Jonah. We want to get our singers to learn your new song in Hebrew. It will surely become popular, a big hit. We remind everyone now to rush in an order for your copy. Jonah is a true believer, and what a privilege to have one of the Chosen People on our show!" The listeners applaud.

MC: "Do not forget our album offer: for a donation of a hundred dollars you can get help in fighting fatigue, the blahs and assorted troublesome things.. Jonah, do you have a closing word?" Jonah: "Yet 40 days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"

Jesus has plainly warned in Luke 11:32: "The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah is here."

Here is my own summary ("WordSing") of the Lord's message to all our generation in "Jonah": Contrite Gentiles of yester-year Judge you who show to Me no fear! At Jonah's call they turned from sin; Solomon's truth a queen drank in. Inferior are both to Me! Ask not, then, for some sign to see. The Lord is teaching us to pray, To open, not close, life's doorway. To mercy He does us direct, nor have us vital tasks neglect. God to His Son assurance made, And on these promises Christ prayed. Let's wisely use the pattern set, Plead Scriptures and plain answers get!

Copyright (C) 2009 George S. Lauderdale

God the heavenly Father calls us all to believe in Jesus (Yeshua) who died on the cross to cleanse away our sins with His precious blood. He, the Lamb who was slain, is risen and has sent the Holy Spirit to persuade and enable us to be born again. Hallelujah! Respond to His loving call now.

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