I was just thinking about Jonah and what Jonah 3:1 says. Which is:
"Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time". LOL
If you have kids you know the statement that goes something like,
"I have told you 3 times to clean your room", etc. But, after all that
Jonah endured trying to escape God's plan by chapter 3 he had only
gotten to God told him the second time.
What do you think about this?
Three used to denote the end of a matter throughout the Bible .
Yes children you have to remind them why they are in trouble. . . now arise and “think” or strike three you’re out .. Jonas went reluctant and wanted to die. He knew God was a God of mercy and that he was empowered at the hearing of faith (born again) but he hated his neighbor in his heart. It would seem he was learning what it means to suffer. All mankind suffers but we can suffer for doing what is according the truth of God as he suffers with us. Or we can suffer against Him. One is usually shorter than the other. If we suffer for the unseen things of God it is the lesser.
It’s interesting that Jonas is said to be the last sign as a wonder that was fulfilled when Jesus came two parables as parallels.
Matthew 12:39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Matthew 12:40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Three days in the hearts of the earth is saying the same kind of suffering, three days in hell, the belly of the Whale .Two parables working as one teaching tool .
One thing I have noticed (Jonas) did the will of the father working in him “reluctantly” while Jesus it was “delight” to do the will of his unseen father. I would offer because the Father that works in us to both will and empower us to do His good pleasure we are given Jesus as the sign of our encouragement .
As the first born of the brethren Jesus the Son of man replied; not as I will but as the will of the Father.
In Mathew 4 the heavenly father delivers the son from the false vision. ( I will give you all the kingdoms of the world and all the glory). Jesus did not suffer for doing the will of another .The father gave Jesus words to rebuke the father of lies. Three times as
it is written and again, and again as
it is written .struck him out returned to the bottomless dugout end of that season.