The Review and Herald
December 4, 1913
“Nineveh, That Great City”
Among the cities of the ancient world, one of the greatest was Nineveh, on the fertile bank of the Tigris, over two hundred miles to the northward of Babylon. Founded about the time of the dispersion from the tower of Babel, it had become “an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.” Jonah 3:3. In the days of divided Israel it was the capital of the Assyrian realm. RH December 4, 1913, par. 1
Nineveh, in the time of its greatest temporal prosperity, was a center of crime and wickedness. Inspiration declared it to be “the bloody city ... full of lies and robbery.” Nahum 3:1. Those in a position to know, acknowledged that one of the leading characteristics of its inhabitants was violence. Jonah 3:8. In figurative language the prophet Nahum compared the Ninevites to a cruel, ravenous lion, who “did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.” Nahum 2:12. “Upon whom,” the prophet inquired, “hath not thy wickedness passed continually?” Nahum 3:19. RH December 4, 1913, par. 2
Notwithstanding this prevalence of iniquity, He who is “no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34) perceived in that city many who were reaching out after something better and higher, and who, if granted opportunity to hear messages of warning and entreaty, would gladly put away their evil deeds, and turn to the living God. And so in his wisdom he revealed himself to them in an unmistakable manner, to lead them, if possible, to repentance. RH December 4, 1913, par. 3
The instrumentality chose of God for this work was Jonah, the son of Amittai, to whom came “the word of the Lord, ... saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.” Jonah 1:1, 2. RH December 4, 1913, par. 4
As the nature of this commission, with all its difficulties and seeming impossibilities, loomed up before Jonah, he began to question the wisdom of the call. As he questioned, he forgot that the God whom he served was all-wise and all-powerful, and he began to doubt whether he should undertake to carry out such a commission. While he hesitated, still doubting, Satan overwhelmed him with discouragement. Seized with a great dread, he “rose up to flee unto Tarshish.” Going down to Joppa, and finding there a ship ready to sail, “he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish.” Jonah 1:3. RH December 4, 1913, par. 5
The responsibility placed upon Jonah, in the charge given him to warn the inhabitants of Nineveh, was indeed great; yet he who had bidden him go was well able to sustain his servant and give him success. Had he obeyed unquestioningly, he would have been spared many bitter experiences, and would have been abundantly blessed. However, the Lord did not desert him in this hour of fearful despair, but led him through a series of trials that revived his confidence in God's power to save, and renewed his determination to obey at any personal sacrifice. RH December 4, 1913, par. 6
“The Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. RH December 4, 1913, par. 7
“And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? RH December 4, 1913, par. 8
“And he said unto them, I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. RH December 4, 1913, par. 9
“Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. RH December 4, 1913, par. 10
“Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them. Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee. RH December 4, 1913, par. 11
“So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. RH December 4, 1913, par. 12
“Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows. RH December 4, 1913, par. 13
“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly and said, RH December 4, 1913, par. 14
“I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord,
And he heard me;
Out of the belly of hell cried I,
And thou heardest my voice.
For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas;
And the floods compassed me about:
All thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight;
Yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
The waters compassed me about, even to the soul:
The depth closed me round about,
The weeds were wrapped about my head.
I went down to the bottoms of the mountains;
The earth with her bars was about me forever:
Yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God.
When my soul fainted within me
I remembered the Lord:
And my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
They that observe lying vanities
Forsake their own mercy.
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving;
I will pay that that I have vowed.
Salvation is of the Lord.” Jonah 1:4-17; 2:1-9.
RH December 4, 1913, par. 15
At last Jonah had learned that “Salvation belongeth unto the Lord.” Psalm 3:8. “Truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.” Jeremiah 3:23. Men have sold themselves to the enemy of all righteousness. They cannot redeem themselves. Only by accepting Christ as a personal Saviour can human beings be delivered from the power of the enemy. RH December 4, 1913, par. 16
Man's pride would lead him to seek for salvation in some other way than that devised by God. He is unwilling to be accounted as nothing, unwilling to recognize Christ as the only one who can save to the uttermost. But of Christ it is written, “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” “In all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” The one word written above the life that Christ lived in this world in behalf of the fallen race, is “Salvation.” RH December 4, 1913, par. 17
With penitence and a recognition of the saving grace of God, comes deliverance. Jonah was released from the perils surrounding him in the mighty deep, and cast upon the dry land. RH December 4, 1913, par. 18
(To be concluded.)