Jonah 3:1-3 ESV
“Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth.”
Throughout the Scriptures, God’s patience with His people beats human understanding. For instance, when the young Samuel could not grasp that it was the LORD calling him and kept running to Eli, God patiently waited until Samuel, a starter in the prophetic, got the message right (1 Sam 3:4-9). The LORD was resolved to cleanse the priesthood in Israel at the time. Samuel’s innocent insensitivity to God’s voice would not hinder His mission. In fact, the LORD knew in advance that the lad would not hear His voice at first, but He still decided to call his name more than once.
In a stark contrast to Samuel’s experience, Jonah’s prophetic ministry is another case where God’s patience was clearly displayed. Unlike Samuel who was a starter, Jonah was somewhat seasoned in his call. He had heard God clearly the first time concerning Nineveh, “But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish” (Jon 1:3 ESV). Notice, when God had dealt with Jonah’s indifference, “the LORD [still] came to Jonah the second time,” as in our text. This, indeed, was purely the patience and the grace of God at work. Hallelujah!
Beloved, whether we are starters or seasoned in our walk with God, our openness to His voice and willingness to follow after His guidance must never cease. While the LORD is patient and gracious, we must never put Him to the test concerning that. Besides, we must not write ourselves off just because we may have missed hearing the LORD, for whatever reason, at the first, second, or third time. He is patient and gracious towards us because He loves us; but most importantly, His purposes on earth must be fulfilled in and through us.
Pst. Emmanuel