Successful Disobedience

Jonah obeyed God’s commission, and preached successfully to Nineveh. They all repented in sackcloth.

Earlier, though, Jonah DISOBEYED God’s commission, and preached successfully to the sailors on the ship. They all feared Yahweh and sacrificed and took vows.

It appears that disobedient evangelism is as effective as obedient evangelism.

Or, better, it appears that Israel will bring praise from the Gentiles one way or another. If Israel refuses commission to Gentiles, Yahweh will cause that to turn to His praise. If Israel accepts her commission to Gentiles, Yahweh will cause that to turn to His praise.

“If their transgression be riches for the world and their failure be riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfiollment be! . . . For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”