“Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” — Jonah 3:4
The scene is a bitter prophet and a turning city
Jonah walks one day into a three-day city.
He speaks five Hebrew words.
No introduction. No mention of God. No call to repent.
Just doom.
And yet, the city turns.
From king to cattle, they fast, mourn, and cry out.
The Judge relents.
The city is not destroyed—but transformed.
The comfort – the tension
The hit — the miss
Jonah is furious.
He knew this would happen.
He quotes Exodus 34:6–7 back to God in protest:
“I knew You are gracious and compassionate…”
Jonah wanted justice.
God wanted mercy.
Jonah hoped the word would crush.
God hoped it would convert.
The drop
The Word of the Lord is never neutral.
Even when spoken by a bitter prophet.
Even when barely whispered.
Even when the preacher hopes it fails.
Nineveh heard destruction and chose transformation.
The Word turned them.
And in Christ, the Word turns us still.
Life is Fun, But Not a Joke 