~ The Second Call of Jonah ~
Introduction ~ Posts 1 – 21 (beginning on April 16, 2022) of this series looked at aspects of the Christian calling. Specifically, we viewed the calling of God from three aspects. First there is the Universal Call to all mankind for salvation. Second there is the call that all Christians receive—the Obedience Call. Finally, there is a call which all Christians receive, but sadly few accept, the Career Call.
Beginning in post 22 we started looking at Biblical examples of God calling an individual.
The First Call of Jonah (disobedience) ~ “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.’ But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord” (Jonah 1:1-3).
The Second Call of Jonah (obedience) ~ “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to 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, a three-day journey in extent. And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’” (Jonah 3:1-4).
Comment ~ Jonah is an interesting and special case. No one should presume that if they disobey their call from God that God will call them a second time. God may do so but is certainly not obligated to do so.
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
* * * * *
