Today we welcome Reverend Jeff Rumble to the pulpit. In his message, Reverend Rumble recounts the story of the prophet Jonah as found in the Book of Jonah. This book tells the story of God’s care and concern for, and pursuit of the unrepentant souls in the City of Nineveh. God’s concern for the people of Nineveh prompted him to send Jonah to the people of Nineveh with a word of warning and an invitation to repentance. God’s invitation to the people was welcomed. They repented and received God’s grace and mercy.
The Book of Jonah is also about God’s care and concern for and pursuit of the unrepentant soul of Jonah. God’s concern for Jonah prompted Him to send a whale to swallow then deliver Jonah to the City of Nineveh after Jonah had fled in the opposite direction from what was commanded of him. God’s also provided then destroyed a vine that sheltered Jonah. God challenged Jonah to consider the hardness of his own heart concerning the people of Nineveh.
While the people of Nineveh repented and received God’s grace, the ending of the Book of Jonah gives us no clear indication of Jonah’s response to God’s offer of repentance. As believers, we are challenged to examine our own hearts to consider our own obedience to God and alignment with His purposes for our lives.
