When God Changes His Mind

Show Notes

Jonah contains one of the Bible’s shortest prophecies, spoken by an unlikely, rebellious prophet. To begin this new season, “Should I Not Have Compassion?” we will share key background information about the book of Jonah.

Nineveh was not the capital of Assyria, but it became Assyria’s glorious capital 60 years later, under King Sennacherib around 700 BC.

However, Assyria was Israel’s brutal enemy, a nation known for cruelty and violence. Nineveh was a massive, important regional city. Jonah wasn’t merely avoiding an inconvenient assignment. He was being asked to deliver a message of mercy to people he likely believed deserved judgment rather than grace.

The word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish.

Jonah 1:1-3

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Show Notes

The opening words of the book of Jonah are, “The word of the Lord came to Jonah,” and they should have prompted this prophet to tune in, listen carefully, and prepare to obey.

Jonah, a prophet who knew better than anyone that God is the Creator of the sea and sky, still believed he could go somewhere God’s presence and call wouldn’t reach him. But he was mistaken!

He booked passage on a sailing vessel to Tarshish, a city in the exact opposite direction from Nineveh. Scripture tells us three times in this chapter that he was fleeing “from the presence of the Lord.”

Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

Jonah 1:4-5

Jonah slept through a storm that terrified everyone else on the ship. Running from God doesn’t bring peace. It brings a false calm that masks real danger.

Head to Heart

Remember that running doesn’t put you beyond His reach. God met Jonah in the storm and provided for him even in his rebellion.

Whatever you’re fleeing from right now, the Lord will not stop pursuing you. That’s mercy, not mere correction.

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Show Notes

Jonah, a chosen prophet of the Lord, heard the word of the Lord, but his response was “No, I can’t do that!” He ran to Joppa and boarded a ship bound for Tarshish.

But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart.

Jonah 1:4 (NLT)

The Lord’s sovereign eye was on Jonah, and a powerful storm was sent. The sailors cried out to their gods and began throwing cargo into the raging sea. They woke Jonah from a deep sleep and implored him to call on his god (perhaps he would hear and save them).

Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”

Jonah 1:9 (NLT)

Jonah admitted that he was running from the Lord. He told the sailors to throw him into the sea. Then the winds and violent storm will cease.

Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve Him.

Jonah 1:15-16 (NLT)

Head to Heart

These verses prompt us to reflect on God’s attributes. He is holy, righteous, and just. He measures our decisions and actions by His mercy and grace. His scales of justice are so different from the reality of this world. The Lord is worthy of our adoration, praise, and wonder. Let’s worship Him today!

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Show Notes

Jonah heard the voice of the Lord and ran in the opposite direction. He bought a ticket on a ship headed to Tarshish and promptly fell asleep.

Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.

Jonah 1:4 (NIV)

The sailors cast lots, and the lot fell to Jonah. He confessed that he was fleeing from “the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land” (Jonah 1:9). The storm grew even fiercer, and Jonah told them to throw him into the sea.

Then the Lord calmed the raging sea. The sailors feared the Lord. In His creative hand of provision, a huge fish swallowed Jonah, and he remained there for three days and three nights.

In my distress, I called to the Lord, and He answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and You listened to my cry.

Jonah 2:2 (NIV)

Distress often prompts us to communicate honestly and immediately with the Lord. He hears our cries and is available, no matter where we are or what time it is.

Head to Heart

When you pray, take time to name God’s attributes. He is holy and just, powerful and all-knowing. The Lord is gracious and compassionate. He hears your prayers and will answer.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.

Psalm 145:8-9 (NASB)

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Show Notes

Yes, the Lord rescued Jonah from the raging sea. He provided a great fish to swallow him. Jonah remained in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.

Unexpected! Jonah must have believed he would perish. BUT GOD! The Lord provided refuge and shelter in an unusual way. In this cocoon, Jonah had ample time to reflect, and he turned to the Lord in poetic prayer.

But You, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered You, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to Your holy temple.

Jonah 2:6-7

You can sense Jonah’s hopelessness. In his desperation, he remembered the Lord and began to pray. We can only imagine the words he spoke. Yet he offers shouts of grateful praise and proclaims, “Salvation comes from the Lord.”

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 2:9 (NIV)

Head to Heart

No matter your current circumstances, the Lord hears your prayers. Take time today to talk with God. He listens and cares about every detail of your life.

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Show Notes

The Lord spoke to Jonah a second time and commanded him to go to Nineveh. God demonstrates His grace and compassion toward Jonah by giving him a second chance to fulfill his appointed mission.

Jonah walked through the great city and delivered a simple message: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh will be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4). The people believed the message and responded immediately.

When the prophetic message reached the royal court, the king quickly removed his royal robes, put on sackcloth, and sat in ashes. He ordered a decree for all people and even the animals. No food or water; they fasted and mourned before God for their wickedness.

People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence. Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change His mind and hold back His fierce anger from destroying us.

Jonah 3:8-9

Head to Heart

We may not dress in sackcloth and pour dust on our heads, but how do we respond when confronted with our sin? Do we listen humbly to a fellow believer and honestly examine our hearts before the Lord? The people of Nineveh practiced true repentance and provide us with an example today.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 (ESV)

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