0122. Israel, Restored and Forgiven, Will yet Prove the True Missionary of Christ to the …
Israel, Restored and Forgiven, Will yet Prove the True Missionary of Christ to the Whole World
"So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the Word of the Lord" (Jon_3:3).
Nineveh was a great city of perhaps a million of souls. God commanded Jonah to go and warn the city. Jonah arose to flee from the presence of the Lord. Jonah went down to a city called Joppa, which means "Beautiful." Jonah took passage to Tarshish, from the presence of the Lord. Jonah was followed by a mighty storm. Jonah was discovered asleep in the boat. Jonah confessed that he was a Hebrew and that he worshiped one God. Jonah was cast overboard. The people aboard the ship believed God. Jonah was swallowed of the great fish, but was not digested. Jonah went down to sea’s depth. Jonah prayed and repented and confessed his Lord, saying, "Salvation is of the Lord". Jonah was cast out upon the land. Jonah was recommissioned and sent to Nineveh. Nineveh repented.
Israel was commanded to be a world-wide blessing. Israel arose to flee from the Lord, she failed her God. Israel lived in her pride and beautified her surroundings. Israel journeyed farther and farther away from God. God followed Israel by many storms of and warning judgments. Israel remained asleep to God’s real purpose in, and through her; she was dead to the lost estate of the nations. Israel continued to claim her identity as "Abraham’s Seed, and the One God." Israel was cast overboard, scattered among the nations. The Church was brought in, the men "on board" believed God. Israel’s sorrows deepened, she was swallowed of the nations, her national existence was lost, her Temple was overthrown, her altars were cast down; but Israel, although swallowed, is undigested. Israel will yet go down to the depths. The weeds will yet be wrapped around her head, Jacob’s trouble will come upon her; she will feel cast off, forever. Israel will repent, while in prison. She will mourn her lot: the two witnesses will tell her of the Coming One, she will repent and pray for mercy and for pardon. Israel will be cast, once more, upon her own land. Israel will be recommissioned and sent to preach the Gospel to the whole world, and the world turn unto God.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR