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From a Big Fish to the Big City
The story of Jonah is one of my
favorites. Anyone who grew up in Sunday school can
relate the details of Jonah being swallowed by the
big fish. But the heart of this story is really
found in the dialogue between God and Jonah at the
very end. One detail often missed is the final
message of God that reveals his great concern for
the world’s cities. God’s message to Jonah reveals
three things about cities:
1. God causes the city to grow. In
his final words to Jonah, God points out that Jonah
is concerned about a plant that he did not plant or
cause to grow. God did. By inference, God likewise
oversees the growth of the city. Its development
does not fall outside of His sovereignty. Because He
is their creator and sustainer, cities are important
to Him. And what is important to Him should also be
important to us.
2. God treasures the city. The
entire story of Jonah reflects the extraordinary
ends that God is willing to go to have His message
preached to Nineveh. His patience and lovingkindess
are similarly reflected throughout Scripture to many
other cities. The Psalms often speak of God’s
particular love for the city of Jerusalem.
Likewise, the history of the early
church is the story of God’s message progressing
from city to city throughout the Roman world.
In Jonah, God reveals that he cares
for cities because they are massive centers of
people made in His image. In contrast to Jonah’s
concern for a “little” plant, God pushes him to
consider the “enormous” city of Nineveh. While each
individual person is valued by God, the sheer size
of the city and the huge numbers of people resident
there raise God’s concern.
Sadly, for many years our missionary
endeavors missed out in understanding God’s great
concern for the cities. Cities filled with millions
of lost people were simply places that missionaries
passed through on the way to the “real” mission
fields. Thankfully, in recent years, there is a
larger reawakening to God’s concern for the city
occurring in world missions. If we are to be
relevant in our rapidly urbanizing world it is
crucial that we value the cities as God does.
3. God’s heart breaks for the city.
Jonah reveals God’s great compassion for cities. In
speaking of Nineveh, God says, “there are more than
a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell
their right hand from their left…should I not be
concerned about that great city?”
Some scholars believe that the
120,000 referred only to young children and thus
suggested an even larger city. But regardless of the
exact number, God’s heart breaks for the Ninevites.
So it is today. God’s heart weeps for cities. They
teem with millions who do not know Christ. They are
filled with thousands upon thousands of hurting and
lost people.
Because God loves them, He loves the
cities of the world. As such, let us follow his
example and devote our energies, resources and
prayers to their salvation. Not as reluctant
prophets like Jonah, but as joyful evangelists
declaring the compassion, grace and love of God.
EQ Spring 2007Issue Main Page
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