Jonah’s commission
Hanko examines the book of Jonah's account of the prophet's commission to preach to Nineveh, arguing that Jonah's reluctance stemmed from his frustration with Israel's apostasy and lack of response to God's Word. The article emphasizes how Jonah's commission illustrates God's sovereignty in salvation, demonstrating that God alone determines where and through whom the gospel is preached, even to those outside Israel. This exposition highlights the Reformed doctrine of divine providence and the missionary implications of God's sovereign will.
II Kings 14:23-27, though it gives us the only other information we have of Jonah, does not mention his commission to Nineveh. We do not know, therefore, when in his prophetic career Jonah was told to go and preach in Nineveh, but his reluctance would seem to indicate that it was later rather than sooner, that is, after he had preached in Israel with little fruit. Jonah's reluctance to go to Nineveh must be explained in part by the apostasy of the northern kingdom. Afraid that God would be...
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