The Spectator., 1915-11-16
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 2
JONAH A MISSIONARY TO
 NINEVEH.
IN TEXT-.Ionah 3.1-f1

GOLDEN TEXT-Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations. baptising them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I command you: and To. l am with you al ways, even unto the end of the world.- Matt. 2S:19, 20 R. V.
 The story of Jonah is one of the most famous and most interesting in the Bible. In former series of lessons more extended use has been made of the book giving time to discuss it's historicity and other questions in volved. This time only one reference Is used and that for the purpose of it's missionary teaching. We accept the record of the book literally because similar facts are recc ded in profane history but chiefly because of the tes. timony and the usage made of it by Jesus (see Matt. 12:4O; 16:4 and Luke 11:30).
 [. The Prophet ProcIaiming, w. IA. Jonah paid the fare Q:3) and "out of the depths CPS. 130:D God de livered him that he might fulfill his God-appointed task. Even so the na- tion of Israel is today crying from out of the depths of it's woe among the nations and will certainly be "deliv- ered'' when the king comes, that it may take it's rightful place and fulfill it's God-appointed tasks. It is a wcn- derful testimony of Gods grace (vD that Gods word came to Jonah sec ond time" Once he ran from Gods command but God is the God of the gospel of 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. 14 40-45). Verse two explicitly sets forth the message Jonah is to de- liver even so we are to proclaim the Gospel (see 1 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. It is the word which reveals Gods love, his plan of salvation, and the destiny of the saints. By the foolishness of preaching" men will be saved The word preach" literally means ito cry out or call out" and implies that earnestress and insistence needful for true advocate or witness of God. But the power is not in us; it is not the word of God mingled with the the ories of men, or with such added to the word. The Bible is the soul win. ners true staff. Nineveh, vast magnif- icent and wealthy could not atone for its wickedness; it's greatness only aggravated it's condition Jonah did not spend any time to acquaint him. self with conditions or to do sight seeing but cried yet forty days. and Nineveh shall be overthrown." When he explicitly and minutely obeyed and delivered Gods message he at once aroused and arrested the atten- tion of the city. He did not attempt to present credentials" nor explain or defend his message. He did not seek to harmonize it with "cur- rent thought" nor give it a mod ern expression" He was blunt and without compromise but gave an opportunity for repentance
 II. The People Pentent, w. 5-1o. 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 result they were God" (v. 5. All true repentance is conditioned upon accepting God at his word John 1920. (2) They evidenced humiliation (v. @. 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 no 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. (3) They prayed (v. &; of. 6, D. Their prayer was intense. The kind of prayer that counts with God must also count upon God. and God lis slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" (Neh. 9;1O. Prayer that is effective is (a) grounded upon the word of God (b) forsakes sin and (c) obeys the will of God. James 1:22; 2:1O. (D They made sacrifice (v. 8. Mere humiliation and prayer does not effect remedy unless there is mer- ciless Judgment executed upon sin.
 Did Jonah fail in his mission? No, for Gods predictions of ruin are not absolute and unconditional Jer. 1S:7-10). Chapter four is the record of Jonah's petulance and of Gods lov- ing kindness.
 Nineveh continued fer nearly 200 years subsequently but it was then so completely destroyed that for nearly 2,000 years it's location was unknown and disputed though now yielding rich harvest for the archeologist and Bible student.
 Can nation be stirred today For answer witness Mott and Eddy in China. In II of China's chief cities during three months of 1913, 1000 of ..p fhnt