RE Verse reading–Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-5, 4:1-11 (day seven)
“Go to Ninevah the great city, and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.”-1:1
The Hebrew words are helpful. Qara (ka ra’) meant “to call or cry out”. Al meant “upon or against”. The idea is SPEECH that “puts pressure ON” or “argues AGAINST” the status quo.
Strange assignment, isn’t it? To represent God’s truth into the political/social/moral conversations of men. To re introduce God as the first principle. To call men to repent of unbelief and wickedness. To warn of God’s judgment.
It is a job we frequently side-step. It feels so negative, so intolerant. Who wants to be “that guy?” Right?
But if all men will ANSWER to God (see 2 Corinthians 5:10), then part of His mercy is to WARN them in advance. And if we belong to God, how can we edit or refuse to speak the message He gives us?
Jonah resisted this assignment. Do we?
