Jonah 3:10
Big Idea: If we are not careful we might mis-interpret and therefore mis-apply Jonah 3:10. There are two questions that must be answered properly in order to understand what the Spirit is revealing to us here; what does it mean that God relented and why did God relent? We find that both speak to the faithfulness of God to fulfill his Word and bless us in the person of Jesus Christ.
1. _______________ does it mean that God relented?
Jonah 3:10 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.
Isaiah 46:8–11 (ESV) — 8 “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, 9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ 11 calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
It is precisely because God is unchanging that we are encouraged to repent. God is unfailing in both his wrath against sin and his mercy toward faithful repentance. There is no variation in his opposition to wickedness; thus, we are always called to repent of our sin. There is no variation in his delight in receiving sinners who call on the name of the Lord and lay hold of his mercy through faith in his Word.
1 John 1:9 (ESV) — 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jeremiah 18:7–10 (ESV) — 7 If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. 9 And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10 and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.
If you turn from your sin, and turn to God, he is faithful to forgive your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. That promise is as sure today as it was 10, 100, or 1,000 years ago.
Receiving God’s blessing = Repent and turn to Christ in faith
2. _________________ did God relent?
Jonah 3:10 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.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) — 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
The point of Jonah 3:10, and Leviticus 26:40, and Deut. 6:18, and Romans 2:6-11, is not ultimately to show that God responds to our obedience, but rather that God ultimately responds to Christ’s obedience.
Hebrews 10:1-18
All that you are, and all that you have is because of what Jesus Christ has done in his life, death, and resurrection.
Questions to Consider
– What do we learn about God’s relenting of his disaster toward Nineveh? How should this make us confident in his character and purposes? (1John 1:9)
– What does Jonah 3:10 teach us about obedience? Why is this both discouraging and encouraging to us? Who is this principle ultimately pointing us to?
– How might this truth apply in your life as you think about your obedience to God now? Is it dependent upon you?
– How does this apply to your service to God and his church?
