Amos 9:11 - Nahum 3:19
Just down Route 66 in Catoosa, Oklahoma, is the Blue Whale. The park closed in 1988 and the blue whale fell into disrepair because of neglect. However, ten years later it was restored and made a landmark along Route 66.
Today's reading takes us through the books of Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. It would have been easier to just stick with Jonah and the fish, but the messages that each of these prophets can give us is more along the neglect and restoration that the Blue Whale on Route 66 went under.
Obadiah
It is the shortest book in the Bible with only 21 verses. It is a message for Edom, the descendants of Esau. It's message speaks about "the pride of your heart has deceived you" because Edom stood by and watched Judah and Jerusalem fall into destruction. In verse 15 the prophet states, "The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head."
It could just as well be a message to you and I. We stand by and watch while the world falls into destruction because of sin. We stand by and watch while the "prince of this world" and those that follow him, lead the world down the path of lies and into the darkness. It is a reminder that the "day of the Lord" is near. And that we will be responsible for our neglect of the poor, the lame, and the hurting souls in the world.
Jonah
This book is about God sending a warning to Nineveh, to turn from its wicked ways. "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs" (2:8). But those that repent will be shown compassion by God. "I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity". (4:2)
It is the message that we all want to hear, that God relents from his judgment of sin to those that lay down their worthless idols, cry out in our distress from the depths of the pit, and rely on His salvation. (that He has provided through His son)
Micah
This prophet was concerned about Samaria and Jerusalem. "Woe to those who plan iniquity" (2:1) because "They will cry out to the Lord, but He will not answer them. At that time He will hide His face from them because of the evil they have done." (3:4) Our sin keeps us from a holy God, but the Lord did not leave us helpless in our iniquities. "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgressions of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea" (7:18-19).
Oh, how amazing is God, because he pardons the sins of the remnant who are in Christ Jesus. They receive the inheritance of life in the presence of God. Because, even in the judgment of Samaria is a promise from God. "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." (5:2) and "He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace" (5:4-5) He is our peace with God.
Nahum
Last, but not least we return to Nineveh. We find that for awhile they heeded Jonah's call for repentance, but once again they have turned to their wicked ways. We are shown that sin leaves a wound that cannot heal and an injury that is fatal when people ignore and turn away from God. But for those that have faith in God, we know that "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him." (1:7)
It is not about a big fish.
It is about a God who is good, compassionate, gracious, merciful, powerful, and abundant in love for those that trust Him. It is about a Saviour that will be our peace. It is about a King who will rule forever. It is about a God who relents for those that repent and trust in Jesus.
