Having finished the book of 2nd Kings yesterday, we will now move on and take a little break from the kings of Israel and Judah to consider the books of Jonah, Amos, and Hosea, whose lives and ministries were contemporary with the times we have been studying in 1st and 2nd Kings. We will return to 1 Chronicles a little later this month. The book of Jonah, written by and about the prophet of the same name, is an interesting little book that is filled with places, people, God’s provision, prophecy, prayers, praise, Psalms, proclamations, a plant, and a pest. Most people associate the book with an extraordinary fish story, and it is definitely a fish story – not about the man who catches a big fish – but about a big fish that catches the man! But the book of Jonah is both fully historical and prophetic; Jesus Himself believed and recognized its account as truthful and stated that “the sign of Jonah was the only sign that would be given to an adulterous and wicked generation” (cf., Matthew 12:39 and Luke 11:29). As such, the entire book and its sign point to Jesus Christ as the One sent by the Father as the One Who would come into this turbulent world, die a horrible death for this sins of the world, and be raised up from the grave – as Jonah was – to redeem us from our sins. In this book, we see God’s amazing longsuffering and lovingkindness toward both individuals and groups. The book also reveals His tender care for everything He has created. God is merciful to the sailors, to Jonah, to the king, to the people of Nineveh, and to us. And … to any naysayers regarding a fish swallowing a man who lives to tell about it … check out this video:
Psalm 85:1-7 begins with history - an account of God’s past favor and forgiveness (verses 1-2). However, in verses 4-8, this Psalm turns to the future – a request for God’s continued restoration and revival so that “God’s people might rejoice in Him” (verse 6). God’s favor is associated with “His unfailing love and His salvation” (verse 7). Everywhere on earth, people desire happiness (i.e., to rejoice), but apart from the love and salvation of God, true happiness is evasive and not possible. God’s love and salvation are the sources of genuine, lasting happiness – that singular quality – which the Bible calls “joy.” Joy in this life is possible, but it only comes from sharing a right relationship with God.
Our reading in Romans 2:1-16 today identifies the virtues that accompany joy – kindness, forbearance, patience, doing good, and righteousness. It also points out those characteristics that hinder a joyful life – stubbornness, an unrepentant heart, self-seeking, rejection of the truth, evil practices, wrath, and anger. Paul insists that, “God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth,” and that “the requirements of the law are written on our hearts” (verse 15). In other words, we “have no excuse” (verse 2), because our hearts “testify to the truth written on them, and “whenever we judge others, we also condemn ourselves”: (verse 1). Ultimately, all human beings will be judged by God for the path they choose to follow (verses 2-16).
The video was a nice touch! Terri's picture is such a great fit. It made me think of the "fishing" theme, but I also noticed the small caption in the corner "He Leadeth Me" near her name. That should be our response in light of God's provision, kindness, and truth described.