“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” (Proverbs 29:18 NIV)
I’m deep in “camp mode” – preparing for this year’s summer arts day camp which less than two months away. I love the work I’m doing but there are a LOT of moving pieces to putting together a great, learning, faith-filled experience for 50-100 fifth through twelfth graders. One of the things I’ve been doing is networking, networking, networking and passing out posters and “flyer” cards. Recently I was at a community meeting and ended up in a conversation with a mom who was interested in the camp. This sweet mama wanted her daughter to see how her drawing and artistic gifts could be used for the glory of God, not for the glory of the world or the “woke.” I came away from that conversation understanding that maybe God has a bigger purpose and plan for this camp than I realized. I believed this type of camp would be fun. I believed it would encourage the kids to grow in their faith and artistry. Yet, here was a new direction. Hopefully, it will also give campers an alternative, God-honoring vision for how to use their gifts.
Have you ever looked at something in a very different way than you used to? Specifically, have you ever read a story in the Bible and realized that God has shown you some layer of the story that you never knew existed. It’s not that what you already knew was wrong, as much as what you knew was incomplete compared to what God wanted to show you. Recently my Bible Recap readings took me through the book of Jonah, a story I learned as a child. You know, Jonah – the guy who was told to do something and immediately runs the opposite direction. The guy who gets swallowed up by the whale and then spit out after three days. The guy who finally tells the Ninevites to repent, they do so, and then he sits down to pout about it. That guy. Why was he upset if he was successful? “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.” (Jonah 3:10 NIV)
As I heard this story, there were some new things that Bible Recap pointed out:
- The pagan sailors on Jonah’s escape ship have a high respect and regard for God. “Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.” (Jonah 1:14-16 NIV)
- Jonah sings a prayer of thanksgiving and praise as he’s inside the fish, but it never mentions any repentance or remorse for not following God’s directions in the first place. “The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit.” (Jonah 2:5-6 NIV)
- For whatever reason Jonah seems to hate the Ninevites and doesn’t want to see them saved from destruction. As the whole city repents – in sackcloth, no less – Jonah sits down on a hillside to watch and see what happens next. “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry.” (Jonah 3:10-4:1 NIV) Then the prophet says, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” (Jonah 4:2 NIV).
- So, instead of being happy for these people, he tells God three times he wants to die. In fact, he says, “I’m so angry I wish I were dead,” (Jonah 4:9 NIV) to which God replies, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” (Jonah 4:10-11 NIV)
In addition to these interesting “a-ha’s,” I had one of my own. It was intriguing to me that the king of Ninevah told all the people and animals – to fast and to wear sackcloth in their repentance. “Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.” (Jonah 3:7-9 NIV). At the end of Jonah 4:11, God says that there are more than 120,000 people and animals in Ninevah who would be lost if Jonah hadn’t taken God’s warning to them. It is obvious to believe that God cares for people; after all he sent Jesus to die for our sins on the cross because he wanted to provide a way for our salvation. But somehow for me it was interesting that God was also interested in saving the animals of Ninevah. Since God has created everything this makes sense, but it was something I’d never noticed before.
Today as you listen for the voice of the Lord, read his Word, and sense his Spirit in prayer, may you receive the new revelations he has for you.
God,
Thank you for the ways in which you reveal yourself to us. Thank you that you are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Thank you that you do give us messages today, just as you sent them in Bible times, because you do not change. Thank you that your messages are to build up, comfort, and encourage your people in this day and hour. Thank you that you continually speak to us, whether in your Word, a sermon, a conversation with another person, or in the still small voice within us. Help us have spiritual ears to hear you, Holy Spirit, and, unlike Jonah, may we have the willingness to go where you call us to go, do what you call us to do, and share your love and grace with those around us. We ask in Jesus’s name, Amen.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
“The one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.” (1 Corinthians 14:3 NLT)
“Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” (Psalm 40:5 NIV)