Ensign: The Sign Of The Prophet Jonah

All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. Isaiah 18:3

AN ENSIGN ON THE MOUNTAINS 16 October 2015


Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.


But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall be no sign given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah.

     
Let's begin with Matthew 12:38-39. Of all the Old Testament prophets it could be argued that Jonah's story, if it's not the one you hear first, it's the one that sticks with you even if you haven't stepped in a church in years. There's just something about getting swallowed by a whale ... and something else about how Jesus is sidestepping the scribes and Pharisees who could really care less, then and now, about a sign. Like the people who say "oh, we'd believe if we saw a miracle" that's irrelevant. THE SIGN IS ALL AROUND US.


For as Jonah 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. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah here.


Matthew 12:40-41. The men of Nineveh -- the ancient Assyrians whom the LORD send Jonah to preach to -- were not nice people. They're described as destroying cities and enslaving their populations, scattering them throughout their empire (they did this to the kingdom of Israel in the late eighth century, in fact; see 2 Kings for more details) and advertising just how brutal they could be. Why does Jesus say they'd rise in judgment and condemn this generation, do you think? They're not patting you on the back looking for a soft place for a knife.


The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon here. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none.


Matthew 12:42-43. Like the Assyrians, the queen of Sheba (the "south" referred to in verse 42) and her people will find themselves in a position to judge us who know the words of God and yet do nothing as a result of them. And this is important too; referring to the people of Israel of His days on the earth as "an evil and adulterous generation" doesn't require everyone to be married (e.g. the seventh commandment "Thou shalt not commit adultery", Exodus 20:14) any more than being a saint requires someone to be dead.


Then [the spirit] saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come he findeth empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there; and the last of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.


Matthew 12:44-45. To be adulterous in this context requires us to be unfaithful to God, and alas all of us can confess to this. Of course we can confess our sins -- our thoughts and acts that separate us from fellowship with our Father in heaven -- and ask for forgiveness, and even mean it, but if we don't replace that sinful desire within us with something stronger, with the Holy Spirit Who Is stronger, then we are going to be worse off than we were. And we'll just get deeper and Deeper AND DEEPER in this generation. 

 

What we truly don't want,

David          

P.S. I write this weekly devotional to keep in touch with all of you in my address book, and I hope to be an encourager to action too! If you find that I'm not or you want me to get lost, just let me know -- thank you!

Thank You, Lord, that we can come to you in prayer and that You provide for all our needs, even when we don't know what they are. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem on both sides of the fence there and around the world.

Thank You, Lord, for everyone in leadership and service, both here and abroad. Thank You for the opportunities we have and the promise of new life through You. I pray that we all seek and have a blessed week! Amen.