March 25,1997
Dear Br. Green:
Why are some people blessed with an ability to move the hearts and minds of people to repent at the preaching of Christ? Take, for example the prophet Jonah, he of the big fish.
Jonah was commissioned by God to go to Nineveh and warn them of
the impending destruction. Reluctantly, and with many side adventures,
he finally found himself in this wicked city. Perhaps not as wicked
as San Francisco or the other coastal cities of the world, nevertheless,
Nineveh was proverbial for evil among the nation at the time.
Perhaps no spot could seem less favorable for evangelism then
Nineveh.
Jonah is an interesting character, so human in his reactions,
so petulant that Christ did not fulfill his word, so fearful that
his prophecies would be scoffed at, his embarrassment and humiliation
was acute when God spared the repentant city.
I can see him now, sitting expectantly under his bush, eagerly
watching for the fire from heaven that would destroy the city,
and, perhaps secretly desiring the destruction of the people and
their proud homes. What chagrin he felt when his predictions failed
and God’s vengeance was withheld. I can see him even now
sulking in self-pity in the shade of the gourd vine that God provided
to shield him from the sun. He most assuredly was an interesting
man. It is unfortunate that the Bible does not describe what happened
to Jonah during the remainder of his life, it would be interesting
reading. But then, why did inspiration choose to record this incident
in the first place?
Here is an interesting observation concerning God. His buildings
are his enablings. When he directs us to do something, that direction
also contains the means to carry it out. Jonah rebelled at the
idea of warning this wicked city, so God provided a rather unique
means to bring his cantankerous servant to Nineveh.
In terms of numbers converted and saved, Jonah may be the greatest
Old Testament prophet. His preaching was powerful, the Holy Spirit
used his sermons to convict the hearts of all classes, the poor
and the rich, the weak and the powerful, the famous and infamous.
All heard him gladly and, according to his account, all repented
of their sins. He must have been a tremendous evangelist. What
power must have infused his preaching to elicit such a reaction.
The time is coming when other Jonah’s, raising their voices
in warning at the immanent destruction of the earth, meet with
similar success. What a joy to see millions of apparently hardened
sinners entering the church, repentant, in deep humiliation for
their sins, grateful for Christ’s forgiveness, and filled
with joy and elation over their rescue from a life of sin.
While Jonah’s motives weren’t pure, he looked in joy
and anticipation for the destruction of Nineveh, God, nevertheless,
used his sermons to reach those who would otherwise have perished
in less then six weeks. We know not how soon this old, sinful
world will vanish in the destruction from the Lord. Its time of
judgment can’t be far distant. May we pray for many Jonah’s
to spread the word of coming destruction and warn earth’s
inhabitants to repent. Perhaps, like Nineveh, many will hear and
repent.
Let us each pray for holy boldness, as Jonah had, to warn all
those who will listen and even those who will not hear our message
of the love and infinite forbearance of the Lord. While probation
lingers, and judgment is deferred, millions, headless of the tender
pity of the Lord, waste their last moments of life, oblivious
to their eternal consequences awaiting them in the near future.
Holy boldness, brother, this is what is needed today. But a boldness
based on the Lord’s message of warning, coupled with mercy.
Let us not run before we have a message but let us seek the Lord
for his instructions, then, when we receive them, gladly seek
out the many Nineveh’s around the world with a message of
love and repentance.
May the Lord bless you in your work and life. Your brother in
Christ.
Allen A. Benson