The Gospel in Joel and Amos

Today’s Reading: JOEL 2:12–14; AMOS 9:11–15

The Joel passage here sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
* It is the same message that we identified in Jonah, Exodus, and Jeremiah: repent because God is merciful.
* You could call that a theme, huh? Salvation by faith, and we’re in the Old Testament here!

Joel even uses the same “Who knows?” expression as the king of Nineveh.
* In Jonah, the concern was mercy, that is, the removal of just punishment.
* Here, grace is also in view—that God would not only withhold judgment (mercy), but also send undeserved blessing (grace).
* But in both instances, the thought is that God cannot be manipulated by some formula; rather, he is free to show mercy and grace.

Also, even if God does choose to show mercy and grace, that does not necessarily mean that all consequences will be removed.

Now for Amos. In Acts 15, when the apostles and elders were debating the inclusion of the Gentiles in Gospel mission, James quotes Amos 9:11–12.
* These verses, to James, are evidence that God always planned for redemption to reach the nations, not just the Jews.
* Pause for a moment and consider this: when James thought about salvation, he remembered the prophecy of Amos.

God Is Gracious So Jonah Is Angry

Today’s Reading: Jonah 4

What? Jonah is “displeased”?
* God just pronounced an outpouring of mercy on an entire city.
* That should be a cause for joy, right?
* On top of that, God just had mercy on Jonah by sparing his life, and Jonah prayed in celebration.
* So, God can be gracious to Jonah, but not to the Ninevites?

And we find out that God’s graciousness was the very reason Jonah ran away in the first place.
* Jonah expected the LORD’s mercy on Nineveh. And he should have!
* He’s quoting Exodus 34:6, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
* Also, there is a principle at work here, as the LORD told Jeremiah, “If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it” (Jer. 18:7–8).

Now, Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh because he knew the merciful nature of the LORD, so he ran away.
* That’s not a good reason to run, but it is a good reason to go.
* And yet we who know the same mercy of God go nowhere and say nothing.
* Is it because we believe God is merciful and will forgive?
* Or are we without excuse?

Nineveh Repents and the LORD Relents

Today’s Reading: Jonah 3

Does the beginning of chapter 3 sound familiar?
* They should; they are almost a direct repeat of vv. 1:1–2.
* Jonah even “arose” and “went,” but this time he goes “according to the word of the LORD” (v. 3).

After hearing Jonah preach, the king of Nineveh commands a fast of repentance saying, “Who knows? God may turn and relent…” (v. 9).
* This is a surprisingly insightful perspective on grace.
* The king believes God will act, so he repents, realizing that his repentence does not obligate God’s mercy.
* In a world of entitlement, that is astounding clarity.

Then, “God relented” (v. 10).
* Hear this: God has revealed his wrath towards sin, and he has warned that his judgment against sin is death.
* BUT he has also said that he will have mercy on those who repent and trust in his grace alone for salvation. (See Eph 2:1–9.)
* The Ninevites didn’t know the promise, and they repented anyway! We know the promise, and hesitate.

How great is this news for those who have believed in God’s holy wrath, but also have heard his Gospel!

Jonah Finally Prays

Today’s Reading: Jonah 2

Interestingly, in the book of Jonah, this is the first instance of him praying.
* He hears from the LORD, and he tells the sailors that God will calm the storm.
* But there is no account of his praying, asking, or calling out until here.
* You could say that it seems like that’s what God was after: namely, Jonah’s prayer.

So, what does it take for Jonah to pray? What finally gets him?
* Is it a near death experience or two—being tossed in the sea and then swallowed by a fish?
* Or is it that God preserves his life, despite being swallowed by a fish, though Jonah knows he does not deserve it?
* Either way, it’s pretty dramatic.

On of the main aspects of Jonah’s prayer is his recognition of God’s hand in everything.
* Though the sailors physically threw him in the water, Jonah recognizes that the ultimate source is God (v. 3).
* He also sees the waves as belonging to the LORD.
* Actually, the fish itself, in Jonah’s prayer, is not a punishment, but an instrument of salvation sent by God!
* In verse 6, it is the fish that rescues Jonah from the deep.

In the end, God gets the result he’s after: prayer.
* The application is not that God will give you a Jonah experience if you don’t pray, so beware.
* Closer to the point is that all situations, including the death-defying ones, are occasions to pray.

Jonah shouldn’t have given reason for drastic measures; neither should we.

Jonah Fearlessly Goes the Wrong Way

Today’s Reading: JONAH 1

God sent Jonah to Nineveh, a city whose ruins lie across the river from modern-day Mosul, Iraq (which has been in the news).
* Jonah, instead, goes to Tarshish, whose location is less certain, though clearly in the wrong direction.
* The possible locations for Tarshish are generally in the western Mediterranean, in the opposite direction of Nineveh.
* If Jonah’s disobedience wasn’t clear, the text says, he fled “from the presence of the LORD.”

So, let me see if I’ve got this right.
* He fled from God… by physically running away. Hmm…
* Silly Jonah.

Interestingly, Jonah says that he “fears” the LORD in v. 9.
* Does he really? Strange fear—he is actively and boldly disobeying God.
* However, the pagan sailors are “exceedingly afraid,” both when they hear Jonah’s explanation and also when they throw him overboard (vv. 10, 16).

Whether others respond with fear or not, is it not just as ironic for us to call people to fear the judgment of God (and to accept the Gospel) if we are at the same time walking in disobedience without fear?