The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-06-27

anu lIle NeaIl OF the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind"
Such is the message of the book
of Jonah. How appropriate it is to
close our series of studies on the
prophets with this declaration Of
Gods love and mercy.
/. A Second Chance (3:1-3).
Jonah had been sent to Nineveh
with a message from God, but,
secretly wishing in his heart that
this great city which was the enemy
of Israel should be destroyed rather
than repent and receive Gods bless
ing (see 4:2), Jonah made an at
tempt to run away from Gods com
mission. We know how God patient
ly dealt with him and now gave him
a second chance to do His will.
How gracious God IS ''to continue
to US the privilege Of service
even when we seem to have sinned
away our first chance, misused
our endoWments, and have by our
very failure embarrassed His
plans" Dr. J. Stuart Holden goes
on to point out that only God gives a
second chance. Nature does not;
man seldom, if ever, gives his fell
low who has failed a second oppor-
tllnity. But God does. Praise His
name!
There was also a second chance
extended to Ninevch. God was not
willing to bring judgment upon the
city without another warning. Quot
ing DR.. Holden again; 81 care not
what is the history of failure, of
shame, Of sin which is behind you
care not how close upon your
heels are the hounds of accusation
and condemnation which bay at you
I tell you that Jesus Christ is here
to give you a second chance,
and that everything depends upon
your attitude of acceptance or re-
lection Of His proffered grace and
mercy"
II. A Stirring Revival (3:4-10).
So great was the city that it would
have taken Jonah three days to
bring his message to the entire pop
ulation (see V 81. He had only be-
gun when, at the end of the first
day, the city, from the ruler down to
the humblest inhabitant, was in
deep mourning and repentance for
its sin.
Jonah, the man who had been
brought back from a living death as
a sign (Luke 11:29-32) to Nineveh
that God was gracious to repentant
sinners, pointed to the fact that
though his message was one of con-
domination ". y, they might expect
God to be entreated of them ". 81.
He was ". 100.
God has sent times of revival
when whole cities-and even whole
nations-have been turned from
their sin. Such revivals have been
occurring in recent years in various
mission fields. Thousands of earnest
Christians are praying now that
such a revival may come again in
our own land. The writer knows
where helpful literature along this
line is available without cost. Let
us pray and be faithful, and trust
God to bring revival to the hearts
of men.
III A Selfish ReaC (4:10, 1D.
Jonah, instead of rejoicing in the
repentance of Nineveh, showed his
narrowness and selfshness by be-
coming angry (see 4:D. How
petty and childish are the attitudes
of men when contrasted with the
mercy of God.
The Lord, dealing gently with
Jonah, gave him a place of refuge
and gourd plant to shade him from
the sun as, g.. Then, to teach
him a lesson, a worm was permitted
to kill the gourd ". y. When
Jonah was greatly concerned over
the loss of the plant, God pointed
out to him that it is wrong to be
stirred up over the passing of
material comfort and not to be con-
cerned for the souls of men.
How many of those who poured
out millions of dollars (and rightly
500 for the relief of the harassed
people Of Finland, would give five
cents to win them to Christ? Many
who will give literally of money,
time and effort to the conmendable
work of flood or famine relief, will
not so much as cross the road to
talk to neighbor about Christ. A
farmer will sit up all night to care
for a sick COW, but will he spend an
hour or two on Sunday or some
evening of the week in an effort to
win his neighbours boy Cor his own
boy) to Christ? These are pertinent
and serious questions. What is our
answer? God will hold us respon-
sible.