The Carlisle independent., 1915-11-18
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 2
JONAH A MISSIONARY TO
 NINEVEH.
LESSON TEXT-Jonah S:1-1o


 them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever command you and 10, I am with you ai- 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 its 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 recorded in profane history but chiefly because of the tes. timony and the usage made of it by Jesus (see Matt 12:40; 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 won- derful testimony of Gods grace (vD that Gods word came to Jonah a sec ond time." Once he ran from Gods command but God is the God of the of abo third if only We repent and do his commands, but God does not give 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 I 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 earnestness 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 it's 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 eur rent thought nor give it a mod ern expression He was blunt and without compromise but gave an opportunity for repentance. It is such preaching that always wins Qsa. 51:11; Luke 1:37). Warning and an opportunity for repentance usually precede the judgments of God CLuke 13:S9) Jonah appealed to fear as we must at times and declaring the whole counsel of God his message was effective Ger. 1:17; Acts 20:2O.
 II. The People Penitent, w. 5-1o. Nineveh paid immediate heed to the man who did not slur over God 'sswarn- ing. Had the city continued in sin, it had not been delivered. Nineveh did four things and as result they were saved: CD They believed. believed God" (v. 5. All true repentance is conditioned upon accepting God at his word John 13:20). CD They evidenced humiliation (v. 8. 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. (S) They prayed (v &; cf 6, ?. Their prayer was intense The kind of prayer that counts with God must also count upon God, and God is slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" (Neh. SID Prayer that is effective is (a) grounded upon the word of God (b) forsakes sin and (cJ obeys the will of God. (James 1:22; 2:17. (D They made sacrifice (v 8. Mere humiliation and prayer does not effect remedy unless there is a mer- ciless judgment executed upon sin. The essence of repentance is to turn away from sin. tIsa. 55:6. ?. God saw their works that they turned from their evil way" Cv. 10), not ways, and he did not execute the threatened judgment upon the city. Sod did rot change. He hated their sln and would surely have executed his penalty, but they changed, hence their deliyerance.
 Their changed attitude was accept able to him.