The Tupelo journal., 1915-11-19
INTERNATIONAL
LESSON
(By e. 0. SELLERS, Acting Director OF
Sunday School Course of Moody Bible
Institute of Chicago.)
copyright. 1915. Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER q
JONAH A MISSIONARY TO
NINEVEH.
LESSON TEXT-Jonah s:1-1o.

Matt. 28:19, 20 r. v.
The story of Jonah is II of the
most famous and most interesting in
more extended use has been made OF
the book giving time to discuss its
~historicity snd other questions in
VOWED. This time only one reference
is used and that for the purpose of its
missionary teaching. We accept the
record of the book literally because
similar facts are recorded in profane
history but chiefly because of the tes-
timony and the usage made of it by
Jesus (see Matt. 12:40; 1874 and
Luke 11:30).
l.. The Prophet Proclaiming, w. IA.
Jonah paid the fare" 0:3) and 'out
Of the depths Cps. 130:1) God de-
livered him that he might fulfill his
God-appointed task. Even SO the ma
ton of Israel is today crying from out
of the depths of it's roc among the
nations and will certainly be "deliv-
cred" when the king comes, that it
may take its rightful place and fulfill
it's C0d-appOinteG tasks. 1t is a won
derful testimony of Gods grace (vi)
that Gods word came to Jonah a sec
ond time" Once he ran from Gods
command but God is the God Of the
gospel of a second chance" and a
third if only we repent and do his
commands, but God does not give a
second chance" to the unrepentant
(Num. IA. 40-45). Verse two explicitly
sets forth the message Jonah is to de-
liver even so we are to proclaim the
Gospel (see | Cor. 15:1-4) not the spec
ulatiOns Of men nor the subtleties Of
philosophy. The messenger of God
will find his message in the word of
God and will declare it. 1t is the
word which reveals Gods love, his
plan of salvation, and the destiny of
the saints. BY the f~oolishness of
preaching men will be saved. The
word preach literally means Ito cry
OUT or call out ard implies that
earnestcess and insistcnce needful for
a true advocate or witness of God.
But the power is not III us; it is not
tho word OF God mingled with the the
cries of men, or with such added to
the word. The Bible is the sCul win
ners truo staff. Nineveh, vast magnif-
icent ard wealthy could not atone
for its wickednesS; its greatness only
aggravated its condition. Jonah did
not spend any time to acquaint him-
self with conditions or to do sight
seeing but cried, yet forty Gays, and
Ninevek shall be O~verthrown." When
he explicitly and infinitely obeyed
and delivered Gods message he at
once aroused and arrested the atten-
ton of the city. He did not attempt
to present Credentials" nor explain
or defend his message. He did not
seek to harmonic it with eur
EN- thought nor give 1t a mod
ern expression" He was blunt
and without compromise but gave an
opportunity for repentance.
u. The People Penitent, w. $40.
Nineveh paid immediate heed to the
man who did not slur over Gods warn
ing. Had the city continued in sin, 1t
had not been delivered. Nineveh did
four things and as a result they were
saved: Cd They believed, believed
God" (v. s.. All true repentance is
conditioned upon accepting God at
his word John 1920. CD They
evidenced humiliation ". g.. They
gave such evidence by humbling them
selves in the sight Of God from the
king upon the throne to "even the
least" There was nc apparent attempt
to qualify or to evade Gods decree,
but rather to accept it and by taking
a proper place in his sight be deliv-
cred from the penalty Of their just
deserts. co They prayed ". 8; CT.
6, y. Their prayer was intense. The
kind of prayer that counts with Gcd
must also count upon God, and God
sis slow to anger, and plenteous in
mercy (Neh. SID. Prayer that is
effective is (a) grounded upon the
word of God CD forsakes sir and (c)
obeys the will CT God. Games 1:22;
2:17). (4) They made sacrifice ". 81.
Mere humiliation and prayer does not
effect a remedy unless there is a rler-
CHESS judgment executed upon sin.
Did Jonah fail in his mission? No!
for Gods predictions of ruin are not
absolute and unconditional Ger.
18:7-1O). Chapter four is the record
of Jonah's petulance and of Gods low
ing-kindness.
Nineveh continued for nearly 200
years subsequently but it vas then so
completely destroyed that for nearly
1000 years its location was unknown
and disputed though now yielding a
rich harvest for the ~archeologist and
Bible student.
Can a nation be stirred today? For
answer witness Mott and Eddy in
China. In IA of China's chief cities
during three months of 1913, 1000 of
the leaders Of that nation enrolled as
inquirers.
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