Nougat 27

‘It’s not that I am holding on to the past; but I’d like to see them repent.’ Should we require an apology to move us to forgiveness? Hmmm. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.” Jonah‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I remember wondering whether the king was genuinely repentant, or if he thought he could manipulate God. Of course, that kind of arrogance assumes that God is unaware of the hearts of us humans. But God knows us AND is very conscious of our motives behind our actions. Psalm 51 says God seeks truth in our inner being; I suspect that would apply to Babylon’s king also.

It is worth noting that the king’s act of repentance moves God to forgiveness (see prior verse). Yet, some, like Jonah, would argue God already knew the outcome so God should be leniency toward the Ninevites was guaranteed. I would say, yes but.

But A:

The king was serious in his call for national repentance – even the very dogs were to fast! That’s kinda extreme (but if some of our countries could effect such genuine changes in our society, our anger and violence problems as well as crime would be eliminated forthwith). However, extreme repentance elicits extreme forgiveness. For the king understood the gravity of the prophecy.

But B:

Compliance wasn’t guaranteed until it took place. The king wasn’t the only one affected by the prophecy. They all were. And the people didn’t know what the outcome would be. Neither do you and I fully know God’s plans. We act in faith. (Still not sure how the dogs repented, but hey! It worked for them!)

Sometimes, in our human plain, forgiveness comes AFTER repentance. The apology or contrition may not be Nineveh perfect; but it moves us beyond our anger and/or hurt. God had forgiveness in mind from the onset – that’s why Jonah was sent prior to the actual destruction. But having aired the displeasure, God made room for repentance. We ought to do likewise.

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May all we seek be found in Christ