5.29.25 ~ 3 Days Before
Good morning!
Tonight is a big day and a big night. It's not only the 47th day, the 7th week of counting the omer, but it's also a special anniversary celebration for Pastor Dave at Grace Church and it's also the last three days before Pentecost; which sets the last three days of preparation in 'washing our garments' and focus on spiritual intimacy (Ex. 19:14,15).
As we approach the anniversary date of the marriage between Israel and God (Jer. 31:31-34; Ex. 19:5-8; 24:3,7) I'm reminded that Pentecost, the 50th day is a continuation of Passover, where we drank the four cups; culminating in the fourth cup of "I will bring you to myself and be your God and you will be my people (Ex. 6:6,7; 19:4).
3 is a significant number in scripture! Significantly, it's the number of resurrection and fruit bearing. Prior to resurrection, however, is the need to die. Hence, the preparation before the wedding, anniversary celebration, remembrance and renewal (Acts 2).
The previous 46 days have been an opportunity for each of us to eradicate fears and doubts out of our lives in preparation for His empowerment at Pentecost. These next three days, the final 3 days, connect to Jonah, who was in the belly of the fish for 3 days and 3 nights (Jon. 1:17; Matt. 12:40; 16:4). Huh?
I know it doesn't appear to be related, on the surface or 20,000 leagues under the sea, but, when we see what Jonah's story is all about, it's the final capstone to stepping into unity at Pentecost (Acts 1:14; 2:1).
Jonah's story is more than a miraculous fish or about being in the watery grave. It's really a story about bigotry, about vengeance, cultural cleansing, divine misdirection, but not about fishing :-)
Have you ever asked yourself, 'why does Jonah try to run from God’s command to go to Nineveh? Simply put, he wants the people of Nineveh to be exterminated. He suspects that God might be merciful if they hear a message of impending doom. And he doesn’t want God to be merciful! He wants God to deal with these reprobate infidels. He reasons, “If I never go to tell them what is going to happen, then God will strike them all with a fatal blow.” Mission successful. Ahh, what a prophet. Ugh!
Why does he desire this terrible end? Because Jonah is a righteous zealot. He despises everything that opposes his God. He believes all wicked people should be punished, mercilessly. He desires his God to demonstrate to the world that he, Jonah, is a true prophet, that what he says will happen will happen, and he will be honored for being God’s mouthpiece. And none of this will happen if the people of Nineveh repent.
So Jonah runs. He would rather have Nineveh destroyed than face the possibility that his proclamations of disaster might not come true. He is far more concerned with his status and agenda than he is with the potential that God will change His mind; similar to bitter Naomi who was willing for her two daughters-in-law to return to the child-sacrificing god of Moab rather than have to deal with the social embarrassment of explaining them to the people of Bethlehem (Ruth 1:8,9).
Jonah wants a God of ironclad declaration, not a God who is fickle enough to renege on a prophecy. The fact is that Jonah doesn’t really care about the salvation of the wicked. He cares about what people might say about a prophet who was mistaken. The big fish is just an interlude in a story about one man’s misapprehension of God’s mercy. But it might be a big fish story about us too as we head towards Pentecost.
Which begs us to ask the personal question: "What is my attitude toward those who are “outside the fold” or "different than me"? What do I really think about those wicked people who seem to prosper at my expense? Am I like James and John (Luke 9:54), ready to fry the ones who disparaged their rabbi? Be honest, now. Put aside your Pollyanna theology and feel your response. Does “They got what they deserved” cross your mind? Just how much do you want a God who never changes (when it comes to the judgment of others)? Here’s a little reminder.
In the final three days before Pentecost, may our garments be washed from the stains and wrinkles and come together in one accord ready to establish His Word and spread it in the powerful commission He gave to us 7 days ago at His ascension.
Shalom!
Alan
We'll be flying to Destin-Ft. Walton tonight. Prayers appreciated.
As we approach the anniversary date of the marriage between Israel and God (Jer. 31:31-34; Ex. 19:5-8; 24:3,7) I'm reminded that Pentecost, the 50th day is a continuation of Passover, where we drank the four cups; culminating in the fourth cup of "I will bring you to myself and be your God and you will be my people (Ex. 6:6,7; 19:4).
3 is a significant number in scripture! Significantly, it's the number of resurrection and fruit bearing. Prior to resurrection, however, is the need to die. Hence, the preparation before the wedding, anniversary celebration, remembrance and renewal (Acts 2).
The previous 46 days have been an opportunity for each of us to eradicate fears and doubts out of our lives in preparation for His empowerment at Pentecost. These next three days, the final 3 days, connect to Jonah, who was in the belly of the fish for 3 days and 3 nights (Jon. 1:17; Matt. 12:40; 16:4). Huh?
I know it doesn't appear to be related, on the surface or 20,000 leagues under the sea, but, when we see what Jonah's story is all about, it's the final capstone to stepping into unity at Pentecost (Acts 1:14; 2:1).
Jonah's story is more than a miraculous fish or about being in the watery grave. It's really a story about bigotry, about vengeance, cultural cleansing, divine misdirection, but not about fishing :-)
Have you ever asked yourself, 'why does Jonah try to run from God’s command to go to Nineveh? Simply put, he wants the people of Nineveh to be exterminated. He suspects that God might be merciful if they hear a message of impending doom. And he doesn’t want God to be merciful! He wants God to deal with these reprobate infidels. He reasons, “If I never go to tell them what is going to happen, then God will strike them all with a fatal blow.” Mission successful. Ahh, what a prophet. Ugh!
Why does he desire this terrible end? Because Jonah is a righteous zealot. He despises everything that opposes his God. He believes all wicked people should be punished, mercilessly. He desires his God to demonstrate to the world that he, Jonah, is a true prophet, that what he says will happen will happen, and he will be honored for being God’s mouthpiece. And none of this will happen if the people of Nineveh repent.
So Jonah runs. He would rather have Nineveh destroyed than face the possibility that his proclamations of disaster might not come true. He is far more concerned with his status and agenda than he is with the potential that God will change His mind; similar to bitter Naomi who was willing for her two daughters-in-law to return to the child-sacrificing god of Moab rather than have to deal with the social embarrassment of explaining them to the people of Bethlehem (Ruth 1:8,9).
Jonah wants a God of ironclad declaration, not a God who is fickle enough to renege on a prophecy. The fact is that Jonah doesn’t really care about the salvation of the wicked. He cares about what people might say about a prophet who was mistaken. The big fish is just an interlude in a story about one man’s misapprehension of God’s mercy. But it might be a big fish story about us too as we head towards Pentecost.
Which begs us to ask the personal question: "What is my attitude toward those who are “outside the fold” or "different than me"? What do I really think about those wicked people who seem to prosper at my expense? Am I like James and John (Luke 9:54), ready to fry the ones who disparaged their rabbi? Be honest, now. Put aside your Pollyanna theology and feel your response. Does “They got what they deserved” cross your mind? Just how much do you want a God who never changes (when it comes to the judgment of others)? Here’s a little reminder.
In the final three days before Pentecost, may our garments be washed from the stains and wrinkles and come together in one accord ready to establish His Word and spread it in the powerful commission He gave to us 7 days ago at His ascension.
Shalom!
Alan
We'll be flying to Destin-Ft. Walton tonight. Prayers appreciated.
Comments
Post a Comment