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Second Call
Second Call
We come to this passage after Jonah had been called to preach and refused. I want you to know that studying to preach this message I read through pages of commentary that spent way too much time disputing the size of the city by the declaration that Jonah traveled a day, (NRSV)
“3 So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
Now I ask you, “Do you think it is important how far he walked, or for how long? Theologians spend time trying to understand scripture to the point of trying to make it make sense.” What we need to know is that Nineveh was a big city and so God finds it important, but then doesn’t God consider all important? Yes He does but this is about Jonah, Jonah finds them to be troublesome and insignificant. They are an enemy to God as perhaps Jonah would contest. But then aren’t we all enemies of God? At times.
(NRSV)
5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
Isn’t it something when we seem to know God so well that we don’t want to talk to Him because we don’t want the answer that he will give us? I have been there and it sucks! When my brother died in my arms, God was not my friend. He tried to comfort me but I did not want what he was offering. God says I cannot give you what you want but this is better for all concerned, and I said no thanks, I want him back.
Jonah runs from the first call because he did not want God to forgive the Ninevites.