Evening star., 1922-03-04

Our attention is focused in this les
son upon one of the most significant
books of the Old Testament. 1t is the
misfortune of men that this wonder
full book is associated in the minds of
men with the incident related of the
part taken by the great fish in pro-
vidins transportation and safety In
the storm for the prophet. If the two
verses connected with this event were
cut out of the record. the great les
son of Jonah would not be affected.
Its marvellous missionary message is
a FAR greater miracle than the story
or the fish,. which Jesus treated as
history, making it symbolical of His
own burial and resurrection from the
dead.
1t is the tragedy of literature that
the most sublime revelation of God in
the Old Testament, which is recorded
in Jonah. should be lost in studying
, the details of the story. which tells
OF Jehovah'S wonderful love for hu-
manity embracing all nations, even
those who are the enemies of our
own land. If we turn aside to con-
slder the various questions that have
arisen from the study of this little
book to perpleX the earnest scholar
and reverent scientists, we too will
fail to behold what is vividly revealed
by Co.'s attitude toward Nineveh.
The krative, for it is not book of
prophS,1c discourses. contains a spir-
itual ~Avelation of Gods love for all
natisas of the earth that gives it a
plaza among the works of the
prophets.
Jonah. whose preaching during the
reign of Jereboam ii enabled the lat
! ter to restore the ancient boundaries
and prestige of Israel. is the central
figure. His father was Amittai. The
prophetic statesman is reputed to
have been the son of the widow of
Zarephath. who cared for Elijah in
! his extreme need. Tradition tells us
/ how he ministered unto Elijah and
i that he was sent TO anoint Jehu. He
| was the first of the prophets to be
sent upon a missionary journey TO Il
Gentle or heather city. The message
| to Jonah is the same as the foreign
missionary idea of Christianity.
First Foreign Missionary.
The strongest men, physically.
| mentally and morally. are needed for
the foreign field. The man whose
| moral fiber will not break amid the
isolation of heathenisn is the only
one fit to represent the church abroad.
Many minister can succeed in a
friendly environment who would be
| a colossal failure in mission work.
| 1t takes heroic soul to stand the
} SlTdiH pi tHe ITSl TWO Years away
| from home. learning the language
| under friendly guidance so that ii
Will be of service in winning men for
| Christ and the church. No board
would think of sending out mis-
! Sionary who was not thoroughly pre-
| pared for the work to win men for
| the Master.
| When God selected Jonah to be-
/ come a missionary to people who
for two centuries had ground Israel
| under their iron heel. the prophet
i declined. AS long as his ministry
was along national lines, he was will
| ing to obey the Divine commands.
| When the call came for him to go to
/ foreign field be tried to put the
whole world between him and his
| duty. He was called to Assyria. but
| he took a ship bound for Spain. Israel
\ had a duty to proclaim her message
: about Jehovah. for God had assured
, Abraham that. 'in thy seed shall all
but the people had forgotten their
nobler and lofty mission. Many like
Jonah would have resented being
| called to give their religious mes
| sage outside of their nation. There
| are many professed followers of
| Christ Jesus who are Indifferent to
| the great commission. The gospel is
| not for us only. but for all the world
/ and no Christian or church can be
true to the Lord if they neglect to do
| thelc part IN tne missionary program
! which He has given to His followers
| Jonah gives US in the reasons for
his refusal in AZ. He knew that God
, was gracious and full of compassion
| He feared that upon the first evidence
4 of their repentance God would exhibit
| mercy and go back upon His threat
! ening to destroy the city. He was un-
! willing to do anything that would
avert the doom of Nineveh. which
| symbolized-A -Assyria. whose growing
! power had been for two centuries a
| constant menace to Israel, and he
! feared the effect upon his fellow
| countrymen of the tidiEgs of Divine
| clemency. He believed that it would
! encourage Israel to continue in their
| evil course, if they learned that the
stern threatenings of God could cas-
| lily be evaded. '.Ife was JEALOUS for
Jehovah.
I God does not hesitate to use men and
! women who have failed. He gives us
! new opportunities, so that VIC may cor
! rect the mistakes o! the former days
, Men may lack confidence in us when
/ We have failed them. but God recalls US
| to His service after we have sinned
against HIM. provided. like Jonah, we
! .rave given to Him some evidence OF our
! repentance. God did not reprove the