We cannot fully understand the level of the evil of the Assyrians. They took great delight in torturing people, skinning them alive and allowing them to stay alive stretched above the ground for weeks at a time. They took men and skewered them between the legs and then put them on a pole. The threw babies in the air and caught them on spears. Wickedness was their delight.
But deep down they knew what they were doing was wrong. But they didn’t change. Until one day they did
The Word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time. And this time Jonah obeyed. I’m not sure he did so happily but he did.
“Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned” (v. 4).
He went through the streets and proclaimed a message of judgment to these treacherous, evil and wicked people. What was their response?
“The Ninevites believed God” (v. 5).
This is astonishing. Similar messages had been given to Israel and Israel did not believe. But when the prophet went to the winners of the “Least Likely to Repent” nation, they repented. In a dramatic way. Their impending judgment was the talk of the town.
Immediately the people began to fast. Not just a mild fast but a fast of three days without food OR WATER. And not just people but the animals as well.
Even the king rose from his throne, took off his robe, embraced the posture of mourning and humbled himself before God Almighty. This was a wicked king and yet he knew. And he humbled himself. Then he made a decree, he and his nobles:
“Do not let any man or beast, her or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish” (v. 7-9).
Now that’s repentance!
You know what God did? He relented from judgment and had compassion upon them. He was moved by their humility, repentance and commitment to change their ways.
And Jonah was furious at God.
We will get to that in the next chapter. But suffice it to say that repentance has always been a foundation message. Even today God says he is going to bring about judgment and his wrath will be poured out on man for their sin and disobedience. But those who repent and trust in Jesus will find life.
The question is, will we be like the Israelites who hardened their hearts? Continued in sin? And believed that it wouldn’t ever really happen?
Or be like the formerly wicked Ninevites of Assyria. Who heard the Word of God. Believed. And repented.
