The God of Second Chance, Rev Dr John Kwasi Fosu
Amazing Grace Baptist Church, Hamburg Bible Study material on Jonah 3:1-2
Introduction
Today’s lesson on Jonah 3:1-2 attempts to highlights God’s re-commissioning of Jonah to go to Ninevah. In our previous lesson, we learnt that God commanded the huge fish to vomit Jonah after being in the belly of the fish for three days. Among others, therefore, studying Jonah 3:1-2 brings out the idea that there can be growth in our walk with God through experience. It will also attempt to reflect on the nature of God as the God of second chance.
Growth through experience
God reminds Jonah of his call. We will recall in the first chapter of Jonah that God calls him to go to Nineveh and preach against it. This shows that Nineveh is a large and wicked city (Jonah 1:1-2). Instead of obeying God’s call, Jonah chose to oppose it and run from God’s presence (Jonah 1:3). It seems convincing to conclude that Jonah had grown through his recent experiences. The text does not say clearly why Jonah changed to follow God’s call. It is not obvious as to whether it was through genuine repentance and regret or through the logic of knowing that he couldn’t defy God, even if he wanted to. All that this text tells us is that God reiterates Jonah’s call to go to the wicked city, and Jonah did as God had commanded, to travel to Nineveh. Many scholars are of the view that God brought him back to Joppa, the same place he started his journey away from God.
Reflections: God of the second chance
Someone has said that God is the God of second chances and for that matter, the third. Reading Jonah 3:1 reveals the graciousness and patience of God. God did not only restore the prophet Jonah back from the place of death and onto dry land, but also re-commissions him with God’s original plan for His life. In this light, God looks past Jonah running away and just brings him back to the place where they left off. The God of all mercies knows and understands our weaknesses, failures and struggles. We are therefore called upon to trust in God’s mercies and love to restore us to His ultimate plan for us.
Questions
- Why did Jonah decide to obey God’s command to go to Nineveh?
- It is most likely that Jonah grew through his experience. How far do you agree?
- Have you seen Christian growth in your life through some experiences.
- Explain the statement that God is the God of second chance.
