When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. When the word reached the king of NinevehThe phrase "When the word reached" indicates the powerful and far-reaching impact of Jonah's message. The Hebrew word for "word" here is "דָּבָר" (dabar), which often signifies a matter or thing of great importance. This suggests that Jonah's proclamation was not just a simple message but a divine decree that carried weight and authority. The fact that it reached the "king of Nineveh" underscores the seriousness with which the message was taken. Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, was a significant city known for its power and influence. The king's response to the message highlights the universal reach of God's word, transcending cultural and political boundaries. he arose from his throne
The action of the king arising from his throne is symbolic of humility and submission. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the throne was a symbol of power and authority. By rising from it, the king of Nineveh demonstrates a willingness to set aside his own authority in recognition of a higher power. This act of humility is a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's word, capable of moving even the most powerful rulers to repentance. laid aside his royal robe
The "royal robe" is a symbol of the king's status and identity. In the ancient world, clothing often represented one's position and authority. By laying aside his royal robe, the king is not only humbling himself but also identifying with the common people. This act signifies a stripping away of pride and a recognition of the need for repentance. It is a profound gesture of solidarity with his subjects and an acknowledgment of the shared need for divine mercy. covered himself with sackcloth
Sackcloth, a coarse material made from goat's hair, was traditionally worn as a sign of mourning and repentance. The act of covering oneself with sackcloth is a physical manifestation of inner contrition and a plea for forgiveness. In the biblical context, wearing sackcloth is often associated with a deep sense of sorrow for sin and a desire to return to God. The king's donning of sackcloth is a public declaration of his repentance and a call for his people to do the same. and sat in ashes
Sitting in ashes is another ancient symbol of repentance and humility. Ashes, representing desolation and ruin, are a stark reminder of human mortality and the consequences of sin. In the biblical tradition, sitting in ashes is an act of self-abasement and a recognition of one's need for divine grace. The king's choice to sit in ashes is a powerful expression of his acknowledgment of sin and his earnest desire for God's forgiveness. This act, combined with the wearing of sackcloth, completes the picture of a ruler who is fully committed to leading his people in repentance and seeking the mercy of God. Persons / Places / Events 1. The King of NinevehThe ruler of the Assyrian city of Nineveh, who responds to Jonah's message of impending judgment with humility and repentance. 2. NinevehA major city in the Assyrian Empire, known for its wickedness, which God sent Jonah to warn of impending destruction. 3. JonahA prophet of God who initially fled from God's command but later delivered God's message to Nineveh. 4. Sackcloth and AshesTraditional symbols of mourning and repentance in ancient Near Eastern cultures, indicating the king's sincere contrition. 5. RepentanceThe central event in this passage, where the king and the people of Nineveh turn from their evil ways in response to God's warning. Teaching Points The Power of HumilityThe king of Nineveh's actions demonstrate the importance of humility before God. True repentance begins with acknowledging one's own sinfulness and need for God's mercy. Repentance Leads to TransformationThe king's response shows that genuine repentance can lead to a change in behavior and avert God's judgment. This is a call for believers to examine their lives and turn from sin. God's Mercy is Available to AllThe account of Nineveh illustrates that God's mercy is not limited to a specific group but is available to all who genuinely repent, regardless of their past. Leadership in RepentanceThe king's leadership in repentance sets an example for others to follow. Leaders in any capacity should model humility and repentance for those they lead. The Urgency of Responding to God's WordThe immediate response of the king and the people of Nineveh to Jonah's message underscores the urgency of responding to God's call without delay. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the king of Nineveh's response to Jonah's message challenge our own attitudes towards repentance and humility? 2. In what ways can we, like the king of Nineveh, lead others in repentance and turning back to God? 3. How does the account of Nineveh's repentance encourage us to pray for and witness to those who seem far from God? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to demonstrate genuine repentance in our daily lives? 5. How can the example of Nineveh's repentance inform our understanding of God's mercy and forgiveness in the New Testament context? Connections to Other Scriptures Matthew 12:41Jesus references the repentance of Nineveh as a rebuke to the unrepentant generation of His time, highlighting the power of genuine repentance. 2 Chronicles 7:14This verse emphasizes the importance of humility and repentance for God's people, promising healing and forgiveness if they turn from their wicked ways. James 4:10Encourages believers to humble themselves before the Lord, similar to the king of Nineveh's actions, promising that God will lift them up. People JonahPlaces Joppa, NinevehTopics Ashes, Aside, Authority, Covered, Covering, Dust, Got, Haircloth, Honourable, Laid, News, Nineveh, Nin'eveh, Reached, Removed, Removeth, Riseth, Robe, Robes, Rose, Royal, Sackcloth, Sat, Seat, Seeing, Sitteth, Spreadeth, Throne, TidingsDictionary of Bible Themes Jonah 3:6 5146 covering
5177 robes
5581 throne Jonah 3:1-9 7712 convincing Jonah 3:1-10 1055 God, grace and mercy
5426 news
7757 preaching, effects
8479 self-examination, examples Jonah 3:3-10 5345 influence Jonah 3:4-10 6027 sin, remedy for Jonah 3:5-6 1670 symbols Jonah 3:5-8 6735 repentance, examples Jonah 3:5-9 6742 sackcloth and ashes
8431 fasting, reasons Jonah 3:5-10 6629 conversion, examples
6740 returning to God Jonah 3:6-8 5865 gestures Jonah 3:6-9 5794 asceticism
6227 regret Jonah 3:6-10 1120 God, repentance of Library Threefold Repentance
'And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2. Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. 3. So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey. 4. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall he overthrown. 5. So the people of Ninoveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWho Can Tell?
With this by way of preface, I shall now somewhat turn aside from the narrative, to address myself to those who are trembling on account of sin and who are in the same position as the men of Nineveh, and like them anxiously desiring mercy. I shall notice briefly this morning three things. First, the miserable plight in which the men of Nineveh found themselves; secondly, the scanty reasons which they had for hope; and then, thirdly, I shall observe that we have stronger reasons to compel us to pray, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Whether it is Lawful for Religious to Wear Coarser Clothes than Others?
Objection 1: It would seem unlawful for religious to wear coarser clothes than others. For according to the Apostle (1 Thess. 5:22) we ought to "refrain from all appearance of evil." Now coarseness of clothes has an appearance of evil; for our Lord said (Mat. 7:15): "Beware of false prophets who come to you in the clothing of sheep": and a gloss on Apoc. 6:8, "Behold a pale horse," says: "The devil finding that he cannot succeed, neither by outward afflictions nor by manifest heresies, sends in advance …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Things Known or Declared Prophetically Can be False?
Objection 1: It would seem that things known or declared prophetically can be false. For prophecy is about future contingencies, as stated above (A[3] ). Now future contingencies may possibly not happen; else they would happen of necessity. Therefore the matter of prophecy can be false. Objection 2: Further, Isaias prophesied to Ezechias saying (Is. 38:1): "Take order with thy house, for thou shalt surely die, and shalt not live," and yet fifteen years were added to his life (4 Kings 20:6). Again …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether all are Bound to Keep the Fasts of the Church?
Objection 1: It would seem that all are bound to keep the fasts of the Church. For the commandments of the Church are binding even as the commandments of God, according to Lk. 10:16, "He that heareth you heareth Me." Now all are bound to keep the commandments of God. Therefore in like manner all are bound to keep the fasts appointed by the Church. Objection 2: Further, children especially are seemingly not exempt from fasting, on account of their age: for it is written (Joel 2:15): "Sanctify a fast," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
In this third part I shall speak of the sacrament of penance. By the tracts and disputations which I have published on this subject I have given offence to very many, and have amply expressed my own opinions. I must now briefly repeat these statements, in order to unveil the tyranny which attacks us on this point as unsparingly as in the sacrament of the bread. In these two sacraments gain and lucre find a place, and therefore the avarice of the shepherds has raged to an incredible extent against …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
Sections. 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode of administration usually secret, but always just. This last point more fully considered. 2. The profane denial that the world is governed by the secret counsel of God, refuted by passages of Scripture. Salutary counsel. 3. This doctrine, as to the secret counsel of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
Discourse 7 "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: And thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:16-18. 1. It has been the endeavour of Satan, from the beginning of the world, …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. Regeneration. D. Justification. E. Adoption. F. Sanctification. G. Prayer.
THE DOCTRINES OF SALVATION. A. REPENTANCE. I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE. II. THE NATURE OF REPENTANCE. 1. AS TOUCHING THE INTELLECT. 2. AFFECTING THE EMOTIONS. 3. WILL. a) Confess Sin. b) Forsake Sin. c) Turn to God. III. HOW REPENTANCE IS PRODUCED. 1. DIVINE SIDE. 2. HUMAN SIDE. 3. QUESTION OF MEANS. IV. RESULTS OF REPENTANCE. 1. GODWARD. 2. MANWARD. A. REPENTANCE. I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE. The prominence given to the doctrine of Repentance in the Scriptures can hardly be overestimated. …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible Of a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Unchangeableness of God
The next attribute is God's unchangeableness. I am Jehovah, I change not.' Mal 3:3. I. God is unchangeable in his nature. II. In his decree. I. Unchangeable in his nature. 1. There is no eclipse of his brightness. 2. No period put to his being. [1] No eclipse of his brightness. His essence shines with a fixed lustre. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' James 1:17. Thou art the same.' Psa 102:27. All created things are full of vicissitudes. Princes and emperors are subject to …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Jonah
The book of Jonah is, in some ways, the greatest in the Old Testament: there is no other which so bravely claims the whole world for the love of God, or presents its noble lessons with so winning or subtle an art. Jonah, a Hebrew prophet, is divinely commanded to preach to Nineveh, the capital of the great Assyrian empire of his day. To escape the unwelcome task of preaching to a heathen people, he takes ship for the distant west, only to be overtaken by a storm, and thrown into the sea, when, by …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jonah 3:6 NIVJonah 3:6 NLTJonah 3:6 ESVJonah 3:6 NASBJonah 3:6 KJV
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