The Pulpit Commentary — Jonah — Section 68

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-3.-Peremptory reiteration and prompt obedience. We see Jonah entering here on the second stage of his strange career. And it is adjUBted logically to the first. His recent experiences and their resulting sentiments form an obvious preparation for the duty next to hand. He has sinned and suffered and repented. He has deserted, and been captured and surrendered unconditionally. He bas prayed, and been forgiven and set free. And it is natural that duty should be faced from a different standpoint henceforward. He is in another mind now, and ready for a new departure in personal effort and official tactics. A.nd the opportunity to make it is promptly furnished. L THE SPllllTUAL DESEBTEB'B RETURN 1B FOLLOWED BY BIB BE-ENGAGEMENT, Jonah had discarded much and been stripped of more. He had refused to act, and had ipso facto forfeited his commission. Now with a return to his right mind there is rein- statement in his lost calling, and re-employment in his forsaken work. We account for this on the principle that : 1. There is f orgivenesa with God, that he may be feared. There is a forgiveness that only encourages transgression. Such is weak forgivenoss, implying a want of firmness in the forgiver, on which there is the temptation to mnko further aggressions. Such is careless forgiveness, that takes no hostages for the future, nor even makes terms. Buch is inequitable forgiveness, in which principle is ignored, and the offence hushed up without regard to the claims of justice. But the Jlivine "more excellent way" of pardon is at once equitable and defined and strong. Amends for the past and amendment for the future are both exacted sternly. God forgives when he has punished. and on the unbending condition that the offence cease. Then punishment is mingled with so much of mercy, and requirement is sweetened by such promise of grace, tbat gratitude mates with reverence, and obedience is the firstborn 1.SSue of the happy tie. The insubordinate, mutinous Jonabs having been ironed and subdued, are at length released, that in after-action they may exemplify obedience unquestioning and without a semblance of the old self-will. 2. Spiritual office attaches to ezisting spiritual relation. The Divine government is paternal. God's officers are first of all his children. Their fitness for the discharge of spiritual functions i8 due to \4tir previous eQdowment with spiritual &ifts. lf IJ.llspiritual men and whilst unspiritu~ CH, In. 1-10.] TIIE BOOK OF JONAII.