The Pulpit Commentary — Jonah — Section 91

11nd no place in the chain of cause and effect at which it could come in. We do it solely on our own responsibility, in violation of the Divine harmonies, and at our own risk and loss. It settles nothing outside ourselves, influences nothing, and has no right of way across the field of providence. God is supreme, and men are in his ho.uds and all duty in relation to his government is, "Thy will be done." The question of men's salvation is God's question in the last appeal. He sits at the helm. He settles who shall be saved, and whether any shall be saved (Rom. ix. 11, 16, 22, 23). The conversion of sinners is but the evolution of his purpose; the glorification of saints the realization of his plan. Is not this good tidings for the lost? Seeking God as he thinks with all his heart, the anxious sinner fancies sometimes that he is willing and God is not, and that the question to be solved is the question of ovcrcomin.,. a certain Divine inertia, and getting God's consent to his entrance into life. 'fh; idea is a. delusion of Satan, a.nd ha.s ruined more lives t.han could be told. 11 Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life." That is Christ's way of it. 11 As I live, saith the Lord God, I ha,·e no plea.sure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live." That is God's gospel, the glorious and precious truth. God's willingness to save is infinite. He waits to be gracious. It is you that are not willing. You think you are, and you may be in some respects. But you are not willing per- fectly and all round. There is a secret reservation lurking somewhere. Search well and sec. If you had ever been wholly willing for a single instant, you would that instant have been across the threshold and in the kingdom. If you are wholly willing now, it 1s the golden hour of your life, for it is the beginning of the new life in Christ.-J. E. H. Vers. 5-11.-Divine mercy fonnulating its own apologetic. God is patient and persistent to a marvel. He sticks to men whom we would unhesitatingly cast off, and bears with them when, to our mind, patience has ceased to be a virtne. His keen eye Eees ground for hope where we should utterly despair; and he goes on dealing with C88Cll that we ahould regard as quite beyond treatment. The case of Jonah was one in point. He displayed a mulish obstinacy, and a tenacious and assertive self-will, on which anything short of the strong arm seemed only labour thrown away. Yet God is neither disgusted nor discouraged. He does not cease to strive; neither does he resort to the violence that would seem so fitting. His mildly suasive measures go on, and go on calmly and confidently, as to infallible success. Verbal expostulation has failed, but that is only one agency of exhaustless Divine resource. The symbolic method of teaching still remains, and may prevail, and God mercifully tries it on the refractory prophet before he will either say, "Cut him off I" or, "Let him alone I " We learn here-- I. How TENACIOUSLY A SERVANT OF GoD IIAY CLING TO A MUTINOUS PROJECT. (Ver. 5.) Jonah's leaning toward the destruction of Nineveh was not mere caprice. It was largely selfish. That event would have been to him equivalent to a new credential of office. The heathen abroad and Israel at home he could have referred to it as a miraculous anthentication of his word, and a new feather in his official cap. Accord- ingly, his preference went and his influence tried to work in that direction. In this mind he left the city. He would not mingle with the people. Their abject attentions while dreading death, and their possible ridicule if it did not come, would be alike i1ista.stefuL His mission, moreover, was practically fulfilled, and he had no very definite business to detain him longer; whilst there would be a natural desire to be out of the city when its fateful hour should arrive. There was, however, a reason for his departure a good deal less to his credit than any of these. He went to see "what would become of the city." Here was watching for souls in hideous, baleful travesty. He was )l'atching for their salvation, it is true, but watching for it in protesting anger and fear. He Cll.llnot bring himself to believe that it will take place; and he climbs the hills overlooking the city from the east to watch developments with a mind divided between auger, curiosity, and misgiving. .And here he displayed the deliberation and resource that we observed on othor occasions. .Anticipating inconvenience from the burning heat, be built himself a rustic arbour in which he could sit in the pleasant shade and cutufurtably await the end. It is humiliating to think that questions of earthly i.Jl.Lcrest, questions ~µ of personal convenience, will compete successfully at timea <IH. IV. 1-11.] THE BOOK OF JON AH. 89