In my life, I have always been so appreciative of a second chance. Whether it be a second chance to accomplish something or to get better at something, I really appreciate a second chance to try something. I am probably more appreciative if I actually get better at something.
1. Can you share about a time when you appreciated a second chance?
2. Are there times when you didn’t appreciate a second chance? Please explain.
From the biblical account of Jonah, we can see that God is the God of second chances. We will pick up in Jonah 3:1-2: "Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.'"
3. What can be learned about Jonah getting a second chance to obey God and tell the people of Nineveh of their wicked ways?
Jonah 3:3-4 reads, "So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, 'Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!'” We can see here that Jonah had a powerful message with a large threat of judgment. Jonah was recommissioned by God to speak God’s Word to the people of Nineveh. We can see that Jonah finally obeys his instructions from God to deliver the message. We have to realize that there is immense supernatural power in God’s Word to us. We have learned that God spared Jonah dispite his disobedience to the powerful message of God, but what will happen to the people of Nineveh?
4. Do you believe that you would hesitate with a divine message from God because you disliked some groups of people or you knew that they disliked you?
Now in Jonah 3:5 we can see a different reaction to God’s message, "And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them." What a different reaction than what was expected! Jonah was obedient in delivering the message, but we wouldn’t think that the people would react in this way. They didn’t worship the God of the Bible, but they believed God’s message and immediately took action by calling for a fast and putting on sackcloth, which is putting on coarse, rough clothing to symbolize remorse, distress, and repentance.
5. Why do you think they believed the message so quickly?
Sometimes we need to be reminded of the powerful message in God’s Word, and we are to be faithful to deliver that message. It isn’t our responsibility to make them believe, but simply to deliver. Sometimes, I miss this aspect of the message that we have been given to share with others, and I quickly talk myself out of it. I need to remember that God is in charge and can call anyone to Himself.
Jonah 3:6-9 reads, "The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, 'By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.'" The message was believed by the people, and the king responded in belief also. He issues an order to participate in these acts and symbols of repentance.
6. Do you believe that the king’s response underscores the true repentance of Nineveh?
7. How would our society respond to a serious message from God?
Repentance for the combined actions of the Ninevites is a beautiful response to the message. This is highly contrasted by Jonah's initial response, which was to run away from God’s message and call. God’s grace and compassion on the wicked and disobedient are powerful messages from this section of Scripture.
In Jonah 3:10, we read, "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it." Wow! God spares the people because of their repentance. What an incredible outcome that is recorded in Scripture. However, we have to be careful here not to miss the message.
8. Is there a powerful message from God about how to avoid disaster? Why or why not?
9. Does God’s judgment mean He won’t forgive? Does God’s forgiveness mean He won’t judge?
Here, the powerful message of God is about the importance of repentance, no matter what the outcome. That repentance is a turning from our evil ways to what God has called us towards, and in this case, "God relented of the disaster."
10. How should we respond when our repentance doesn’t negate the consequences of our actions?