Boston Homilies Jonah 1:2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. A natural interpretation of the book is this, — Jonah had as great contempt for the heathen as his bigoted brethren of Israel. He was sent on a mission of mercy to his political enemies. As he had never learned to love his enemies, he fled from so distasteful a service. He was disciplined in the stomach of a fish till he was willing to deliver formally the commission given. He preached in Nineveh, still hating those who, if spared, might overthrow Israel. He was further disciplined by the lesson of the gourd. He at last learned the lesson of pity, and rejoiced in the good that accrued to his enemies, singing, "Salvation is of the Lord." I. THE PROPHET'S COMMISSION TO BLESS HIS ENEMIES. About God sent Jonah with a message to Nineveh, which was regarded by Israel as its natural enemy. II. JONAH'S REFUSAL TO ACCEPT A MISSION OF MERCY TO HIS FOES. Jonah was not a son of Satan, but a wilful servant of the Lord, who, by reason of false views, failed to comprehend Jehovah's broad policy in the government of this world. III. HOW GOD HUMILIATED HIS PROPHET BEFORE HEATHEN SAILORS. Humiliating must have been the confession that he who knew move about holy things than all others on board was afraid to trust and obey his own God. IV. HOW THE HEATHEN SAILORS MADE FRIENDS WITH JONAH'S GOD. The prophet's acknowledgment of his fear of Jehovah struck a nameless terror to the consciences of the crew. They did their best to save him from his fate, but all was in vain. When Jonah was cast overboard, and the storm ceased, they felt that Jonah's God was the true God, and must henceforth be their God. (Boston Homilies.) Parallel Verses KJV: Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. |
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