Jonah 3:5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
The preaching was as direct as Nineveh could get, for, according to a strict reading of the sermon, the possibility of a pardon which could lead to a reversal of fortune was never raised by Jonah. All Jonah says is that the city has forty more days in existence. Question: Why would Jonah be sent preach such a direct or explicit sermon like that, with no caveats? Two parents have a son named Jack, who habitually steals cookies from the jar on numerous occasions.
And try as the parents might, to get him to stop he just wouldn’t listen. Finally, the situation reaches a tipping point, where the parents have to give their son an ultimatum, lest he passes the point of no return. How should this last-ditch effort on the parent’s part be given? Should Jack’s parents say: Son, if you steal anymore cookies from the jar, and you were to ask for forgiveness, we will let you off the hook.
Or, should the parents issue their son a blunt threat that there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth? Let us dissect the first option: Jack, if you steal one more cookie from the jar, we will let you off the hook if you ask for forgiveness. Knowing Jack, and his habit of stealing cookies for so many years, if the option of pardon is put on the table, he most likely will continue stealing cookies.
Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!