Jonah: Confronted by Grace - God's Presence

This Sunday we’ll begin moving through the text of Jonah, starting in chapter one. Several things stand out. First, God knew Jonah, and knew exactly how to get his attention. Second, God was well aware of Nineveh’s evil as the text says, “their evil has come up before me.” Third, twice the text says that Jonah was trying to flee from God’s “presence.” The book opens with the idea that God is actively overseeing his creation, whether Israel or Israel’s enemies, the Assyrians.

Scripture isn’t just recounting the story of Jonah, it’s communicating to Israel that God is well aware of what their enemies are doing to them. God is telling Israel that he sees them, knows them, and loves them. He’s also confronting Israel with his mission of grace for “others.”

So, come Sunday and let’s consider God’s message of his gracious presiding over his creation.