“Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us.” 2 Kings 22:13
The Assyrian empire was known for its ruthlessness and cruelty towards those it assailed and conquered. Perhaps nowhere was this so keenly, and specifically felt more, than by the people of Israel because of their faithlessness, and disobedience to God. And yet, even though, in the eyes of Israel, the Assyrian nation was cursed of God, and unredeemable, there was revealed, to Israel and to the whole world, that the God of Israel is the God of the whole world. That which is most amazing, and encouraging at the same time, is the revelation God to all men everywhere, that He is merciful, with a mercy that triumphs judgment, for all men, and peoples. Jonah would be the prophet to the world of such a message.
The mercy of God seems to be most clearly revealed when impending doom and destruction is on the horizon, with respect to the judgment of God upon an individual or nation. Such was the case of Nineveh. The people of Nineveh, by the very confession of its own king, were described to be those who were engaged in their “evil ways,” and “violence in their hands.” The people only realized this with regard to the God of Jonah, when he came with the word of the Lord concerning Nineveh’s impending doom…in forty days. There was such a conviction of sin as a result of Jonah’s preaching that a fast was proclaimed, the king and the people humbling themselves before the God of Israel, and of heaven. The king’s own words reveal the conviction of his own heart, that somewhere in the wrath of God upon them, there was mercy. The king told his people: ” Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from His fierce anger, that we perish not.?” (Jonah 3:10) The king’s hope was right. God saw their works, and “…repented of the evil, that He had said that He would do unto them: and He did it not.” (v.10)
In the account of the life of Josiah, King of Judah, there was a situation which resembled somewhat that of Nineveh during Jonah’s time. However, this time it involved primarily the people of Judah. Josiah was a godly king, whose rose very successfully in his reign, even beginning the repairs on the temple in Jerusalem. While these repairs were being done, a copy of the law of Moses was found. It was read before the king, the result being that the king “…rent his clothes,” and called upon the high priest to enquire of the Lord concerning the words of the book. This was convincingly urgent because Josiah realized that, “…the wrath of the Lord” was kindled, or burning, against Jerusalem. As in the days of Jonah, when the preached word of God came with power and authority, even to Israel’s enemies, and there was great conviction of sin, resulting in public humiliation before God and repentance, so again, there would be revealed in Judah to Josiah and the city, something of the mercy of God, triumphing over wrath. It would be by the very words of Jonah, by his personal knowledge of God, that there would be revealed in Josiah’s day, something of this mercy of God. Jonah had wondrously declared: “…for I knew that Thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest Thee of the evil.” (Jonah 4:2) Josiah, after instructing the high priest to seek the Lord’s word on the matter of judgement before him, was told that God’s wrath would not be quenched, because of all that Judah had done to provoke Him to anger. However, God did tell Josiah, “…Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, …thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place.” (v.20)
Dear Father, We have sinned as a nation against Thee, and Thy wrath is upon us. Have mercy, and save us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.