November 10 2024 Sunday School Lesson

Nineveh Repents

Lesson Text: Jonah 3:1-10

Related Scriptures: Esther 4:1-3; Jeremiah 18:7-10; Amos 7:1-6; Nahum 1:7-14; John 21:15-17

TIME: about 780 B.C.

PLACE: Nineveh and vicinity

Golden Text: “God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not” (Jonah 3:10)

INTRODUCTION

One of the most encouraging things we learn about God in His Word is how willingly He gives a second chance to those who have been disobedient. This is one characteristic that set Him apart from the pagan gods of the nations that surrounded Israel. Those gods were often viewed as continuously angry and vindictive.

The list of people in the Bible to whom God gave second chances is lengthy. It begins with Adam and Eve, Cain, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph’s brothers. Soon we read about Moses, Miriam, and Aaron. Later, God gave second chances to Elijah, David, and Manasseh. In the New Testament, God continues to work with Peter, John, Mark, Paul, and others. Each life is a study of God’s mercy and grace.

We fit right in. God has forgiven all who believe in Christ and offers them second chances. God’s grace toward Jonah should produce dee gratitude in every heart.

LESSON OUTLINE

I. JONAH: LIMITED TIME – Jonah 3:1-4

II. NINEVEH: BELIEF – Jonah 3:5-9

III. GOD: COMPASSION – Jonah 3:10

QUESTIONS

1. What was different about God’s second command to Jonah compared to His first one?

2. What made Jonah’s assignment so difficult for him?

3. What was the specific message God had Jonah give Nineveh?

4. Why did God allow a grace period of forty days, and what does that reveal about Him?

5. What three things did the people of Nineveh do after hearing Jonah’s message?

6. What did the king do?

7. What did the fasting and wearing of sackcloth indicate, and why were the animals included?

8. What was the king’s rationale for ordering the things he did?

9. What was God’s response?

10. How so we explain the fact that God repented of what He had said?

ANSWERS

1. God did not give Jonah anything specific to repeat, but he clearly was to warn the Ninevites that their wickedness had come to the attention of Israel’s God. God would soon pour out His judgment on them. God’s second message to Jonah added some more detail. Jonah was to go to the great city of Nineveh and deliver the message that God gave him to proclaim. Apparently, God would give Jonah the exact message.

2. The size of the city, coupled with its reputation for cruelty, made Jonah’s assignment a difficult one. We can understand why he wanted to avoid it. The primary reason Jonah had initially avoided the assignment, however, was that he did not want God to spare Nineveh (cf. 4:2).

3. Sometime during Jonah’s first day of walking, he began proclaiming his message. He did not challenge the Ninevites to believe in God; he simply proclaimed the impending doom of the city in forty days.

4. Why did God give a forty day grace period to these wicked people instead of destroying them immediately? He purposely gave them an opportunity to repent – evidence of His great mercy toward those who are living far from Him?

5. The people of Nineveh did three things they believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth.

6. After the Nineveh’s actions, we learn about the king’s response. He stepped off his throne, put aside his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

7. It served as evidence of genuine repentance and humility. It might seem strange to us that he would command this for the animals too. This is not as odd as we may think, however, in Exodus 20:10, God’s command for Israel to rest on the Sabbath included rest for the animals. IN the case of the Ninevites, since the animals were incapable of humbling themselves, they were humbled as their owners’ representatives.

8. His rationale was that maybe God would change His mind if He saw a positive change in the citizens of Nineveh.

9. God responded to Nineveh’s actions exactly as the king had hoped. Had they not repented, God would not have either.

10. Although it is difficult for us to comprehend, God deals with us as persons – he interacts with us in a personal way. He grants to us the ability to make choices, and responds accordingly. There are a number of examples of this in scripture. An interesting one is found in Amos 7:1-9. Twice God revealed to Amos what He was planning to do, and after Amos prayed, He relented from His plans. The third time God spoke; however, He indicated that there would be no change of plans. (Ezekiel 33:10-20 further develops God’s promise not to judge those who repent from wickedness).