Jonah 3:3-5

Jonah 3:3-5 (ESV): “” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.”

The Word of the Lord is powerful and changes lives regardless of the speaker. We must not make too much of the herald; it is the Word that does the work.

After Jonah spent three days in the belly of the fish, God again commanded him to go to Nineveh and proclaim a message of judgment. When the people heard the Word, they feared God. They fasted and put on sackcloth as an outward expression of repentance. The king of Nineveh called the entire city to turn from their evil ways and to cry out to Yahweh. They obeyed, and God relented and spared them—not because Jonah was an effective preacher, but because the people believed the Word of the Lord.

We must be careful not to elevate the man God uses to deliver His message. The messenger does not produce the results; he is simply the instrument God chooses to use. The power is not in the ability of the preacher but in the Word of the Lord itself. Therefore, we must never hesitate to proclaim what God has spoken. His Word will accomplish its purpose, and all the glory belongs to Him.

Father, we thank You for giving us Your Word. It is living, powerful, and life-transforming. Help us to proclaim nothing but what You have revealed, trusting that You will use it for Your glory. We ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.