He did
| "Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. (Jonah3:9-10) |
"Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."
The answer is: They found out and so did we, that God did relent and God compassionately turned from wrath to give us life.
Again and again this is the stunning message of the scriptures.
This is the essence of the gospel.
God offers compassionate mercy to all who would receive it.
Even to Ninevites, the hated enemy of the Israelites (and Jonah especially).
To the people we least expect - to all without bias or favour.
All that we have to do is ask.
We know the New Testament version of this passage so well:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
What is God like?
He's eager to heal and restore all who earnestly seek Him.
He's so eager that compassion trumps wrath and the God's Son dies in our place for love.
And we can be healed.
Let's celebrate God's love and compassion in church on Sunday.
