Day 154: God is Slow to Anger and Abounding in Love

Today we read 2 Kings 15, Jonah 1-4, and Psalm 138. In the first part of the story, we continue to read the tale of the Northern Kingdoms drifting from faithfulness with leader after leader failing, like the first, and being the cause of Israel's downfall. We also read this incredible story by the prophet Jonah of God's mercy and pursuit of a powerful mercenary people the Assyrian empire in Nineveh. Jonah was angry and didn't want to bring this message because he knew God was slow to anger and abounded in love. The Ninevites repented, urgently called on the Lord, and turned from their evil ways and violence. In this story, we are reminded of how great God's love, mercy, and grace extend. This is a story about God. It also a story where God reminds Jonah, and us, that we are not in control and we were not deserving of the gift of live and the blessings we do have, God is the giver of life and blessing. We are reminded that the purpose of the blessing is to bless others, show mercy, take the risk, put God on display, and answer God's call on our lives when He asks us to bless someone or be a brand ambassador in a specific way. 

Resources:

Kristi, McClelland (Nov., 2014). "Jonah" : Intro to Israel & The Middle Eastern Lens. Williamson College. (4 minutes) YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-Z07J98LLQ&list=PLdBrFArPKtZ6muu9qCFP4Tm6sa57qUwgg&index=3 

 

Tim Mackie (Aug., 2017). 1. Running From Your Life - Amazing Jonah (49:34 minutes). Bible Project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah1RRqQg2fM 

 

Free Online Bible Study Course on Jonah, Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/jonah/ 

 

Credits

Podcast music by Stockaudios from Pixabay. Speaker, Dr. Rachel Bodell. Podcast Sound Engineer, Alan Darling. Podcast Artwork, Will Gerard.