“I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” (Jonah 4:2b)

It is a story from the pages of Scripture which many children know and love, the story of Jonah and the great fish. Yet in the midst of this story, we see the concern and compassion which God has for mankind. It starts with a man of God who is given a message and an assignment. Jonah is sent to Nineveh with a message of judgment. However, Jonah runs from the assignment.

As he runs, he encounters sailors who did not worship God, but had faith in the different gods of that day and they were headed to a different city. While on the journey they encounter a storm of such great strength that they are afraid. All the while Jonah was asleep in the ship. They awakened Jonah and begged him to pray to his God, even though they knew he was running from the Lord. “(They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.)” (Jonah 1:10b) After Jonah explained who he was and who his God is, they were afraid. At Jonah’s request they threw him into the sea. This event drew these sailors to the God of Jonah. “At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.” (Jonah 1:16) God demonstrated his concern and compassion for these sailors as the storm calmed.

While in the sea, Jonah is swallowed by the great fish. Now from the belly of the fish Jonah cries out to God. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’” (Jonah 2:7-9) In compassion, God responds and the fish gives up Jonah and He heads to Ninevah.

When he arrives in Nineveh, he begins to proclaim, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” (Jonah 3:4) The people respond with repentance and humility before God, following the proclamation by the king. “But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” (Jonah 3:8-9) God responded with compassion and did not send the destruction promises. Again, we see God’s concern and compassion.

Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh because he knew of God’s concern and compassion toward sinful man. He wanted judgment. God offered grace.

It is the same today in our lives. We see the evil that is everywhere in the world. In some ways, we would like to see God’s judgment upon sinners. However, we must always remember that we are sinners, but because of God’s concern and care for us, He sent Jesus and by faith in Him we have life abundant and eternal. When we see the results of sin in the world, we need to join with Jesus with concern and compassion. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block