Salvation is of the Lord
“Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” Jonah 2:8-9
The most pivotal verse in the book of Jonah is Jonah 2:9, "Salvation is of the LORD." as it encapsulates the theme of God's mercy and sovereignty. The verse before describes how idolatry causes one to forfeit their salvation (mercy) which is why the Bible condemns and punishes idolatry so harshly. The epitaph on every king of Israel and Judah includes a statement on how they won, or in nearly every case, lost, the battle with Idolatry. The Bible gives the reason for Jonah running to Tarshish away from the presence of the Lord in Jonah 4:2 "So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm." But why Jonah's hatred for Nineveh? Many commentators (Coffman, Guzik, Calvin...) point to nationalism and racial hatred.
It's not without reason because Nineveh is the capital of Assyria who had a history of oppression and violence against Israel and people in the Middle East have very long memories. Nationalism and racism were idols in Jonah's life that caused him to avoid bringing a message of repentance and salvation (mercy) to Nineveh and he ran from "the presence of the Lord" because of it. Note the contrast between Jonah and the Sons of Korah regarding the value of the presence of the Lord in Psalm 84:10 “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [elsewhere]." We choose between the presence of idols or the presence of the Lord--we can't have both. We should be very aware that there have been powerful forces for several generations who have used Bible prophecies to erect the same idol of nationalism and racial hatred amongst the western Church and it is having a similar effect to foment hatred and a lack of God’s presence. God loves those who love Him and keep His covenant regardless of ethnicity. God's mercy and love is not based on geographical, political or national boundaries (Galatians 3:28). May we love the presence of the Lord and flee from every form of idolatry today.
The most pivotal verse in the book of Jonah is Jonah 2:9, "Salvation is of the LORD." as it encapsulates the theme of God's mercy and sovereignty. The verse before describes how idolatry causes one to forfeit their salvation (mercy) which is why the Bible condemns and punishes idolatry so harshly. The epitaph on every king of Israel and Judah includes a statement on how they won, or in nearly every case, lost, the battle with Idolatry. The Bible gives the reason for Jonah running to Tarshish away from the presence of the Lord in Jonah 4:2 "So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm." But why Jonah's hatred for Nineveh? Many commentators (Coffman, Guzik, Calvin...) point to nationalism and racial hatred.
It's not without reason because Nineveh is the capital of Assyria who had a history of oppression and violence against Israel and people in the Middle East have very long memories. Nationalism and racism were idols in Jonah's life that caused him to avoid bringing a message of repentance and salvation (mercy) to Nineveh and he ran from "the presence of the Lord" because of it. Note the contrast between Jonah and the Sons of Korah regarding the value of the presence of the Lord in Psalm 84:10 “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [elsewhere]." We choose between the presence of idols or the presence of the Lord--we can't have both. We should be very aware that there have been powerful forces for several generations who have used Bible prophecies to erect the same idol of nationalism and racial hatred amongst the western Church and it is having a similar effect to foment hatred and a lack of God’s presence. God loves those who love Him and keep His covenant regardless of ethnicity. God's mercy and love is not based on geographical, political or national boundaries (Galatians 3:28). May we love the presence of the Lord and flee from every form of idolatry today.