An “out of the Box” kind of God
The last week or so I have been making my way through the minor prophets and rather enjoying the ride! I’m the first to admit they are not the easiest messages to understand, but it has been fun to chase a few rabbits and look into the historical setting behind each message. For instance, even this morning trying to establish whether or not Zephaniah was really directly related to King Hezekiah. I still don’t know (no one is positive) but there are some interesting parallels - so check it out.
However, what did touch my heart this week was reading the book of Jonah and it dawning on me how “out of the box” the Lord was concerning his reaching out to Nineveh. I mean forget the fact that this was a wicked city and the Assyrian bullies were running rough-shod over all of the other nations - including Israel.
Here is God - willing to give them a chance to get it right. A chance to not only repent - but actually “know” the God of Israel. Now that is out of the box. To this point in history - God has only walked in covenant relationship with Israel, his chosen people. But here we see God giving the Assyrians - Gentiles - utter pagans a chance to know him, and chance to experience his mercy. Talk about coloring outside the lines!
But as I was was reading it made me think about how far outside the lines God was willing to color to include you and me in his merciful plan. At the core of my heart - I was simply a “rebellious Assyrian” myself. And God sent a Christian man… a Jonah into my life, so I might exerience his goodness.
Thankfully, God doesn’t do with people what we think he should do because not only is there a little bit of Assyria in our hearts - there’s also a little bit of Jonah. And because of that none of us would ever be as inclusive as our Lord, and you can take that to the bank!
So Lord help us to see others the way you see them, and thanks for being an out of the box kind of God.
