Jonah 2:6-10 (NIVUK)
6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:
‘By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 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. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.’
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
Having been ejected from the whale, Jonah is given a second chance to pass God’s message and much to Jonah’s surprise the infamously wicked Ninevites repent and change their ways! This is the good news of Jonah’s story, no one is too wicked for God’s forgiveness, his grace is enough for everyone and anyone.
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood
To every believer the promise of God
The vilest offender who truly believes
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives
Fanny Jane Crosby
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