SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 11/02/2025 11:35 PM
My Worship Time Focus: PT-3“A Royal Mandate”
Bible Reading and Meditation Reference: Jonah 3:7-8
Message of the verses: “And he cried out and said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, animal, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat, and do not let them drink water. But both man and animal must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God with their strength that each may turn from his evil way and from the violence which is in his hands.”
In this morning’s SD we will look at the at the King’s three requirements that he prescribed. I will quote from John MacArthur’s commentary to get this SD started.
“First, he decreed that both man and animal must be covered with sackcloth, just as he had covered himself (Jonah 3:6). He demanded that even the animal population participate. Animals, of course, cannot repent, but covering them with sackcloth demonstrated that their owners had included everything in their repentance before the Lord. This was akin to Israel’s removing leaven from their homes during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Ex. 12:15). Just as the Israelites removed leaven from every crevice in their homes, showing their complete renunciation of sin, so the Ninevites would cover everything that breathed with sackcloth to display their contrition to God. Their actions served as an expression of the profound sorrow that filled their hearts (cf. Ps. 32:3-5; Luke 19:8; 2 Cor. 7:9-10).
“Second, the king decreed, “let men call on God with their strength.” In turning to Yahweh and imploring His mercy, the sailors had also called on the Lord earlier (Johan 1:14). The king exhorted his people to respond in the same way. He understood that sackcloth was not enough, but that true repentance included an earnest appeal to the Lord form every heart (cf. Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Peter 1:1-2). The king summoned his subjects to call specifically and exclusively on God with their strength, a phrase that describes one’s full might and effort (cf. Judges 8:1; 1 Sam. 2:16).
“Third, the king directed each Ninevite to “turn from his evil way and from the violence which is in his hands.” This was a call to demonstrate the inner reality of their repentance through the outer reality of a changed life. To turn denotes a complete change of direction. A life that experiences such a turn puts an end to an old way of conduct and establishes a new pattern of living. The people needed to repudiate both their evil way, that is their personal sins and actions, as well as their cruelty toward others, the violence which was in their hands. The king commanded his citizens to turn away from every form of iniquity. A momentary act of repentance or prayer was not sufficient; true repentance always results in transformed behavior (cf. Rom. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 7:10-11; 1 Thess. 1:9). Like John the Baptist, the king exhorted his people to bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matt. 3:8).
“With these instruction, Nineveh’s ruler directed his people to exhibit the righteousness that characterizes genuine repentance. Like descriptions earlier in the chapter (cf. Jonah 3:5), the king’s exhortations to Nineveh continued to mirror the prophet Joel, who called Israel to true repentance: to cease from their daily tasks (cf. Joel 2:16-17), to fast, and to dedicate themselves to the Lord with all their heart (cf. 2:12-13). The parallel demonstrates that God’s requirements of repentance are the same for both Jew and Gentiles. That the Gentiles in In neveh repent, unlike the Israelites in Joel’s day, is both an indictment on Israel and a reminder that God sincerely offers repentance to undeserving sinners.”
Once again I have to say that John MacArthur makes the book of Jonah truly understandable, something that has caused me to learn many things from the pages of this heard-hearted prophet, for all I saw before was the things that Jonah did as sinful, not realizing he did some godly things too. I realize that God had to get his attention in order for him to go along with the plan of God. Nineveh would eventually turn from this revival, but they would not be as evil as they were before Jonah’s visit and so this would not make so violent when they eventually attacked Israel.
Spiritual Meaning for my Life Today: I desire to do the things that are pleasing to the Lord, as I pray for revival in my life so that my life can bring glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Trust the Lord to guide me as I want to think about going on a fast, something that I have done a couple of times many years ago. It is my desire to do this if the Lord moves me more into that direction.
11/2/2025 10:20 AM
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