coptichymns.net - Sharing the Joy of Coptic Hymns Around the World

First, repentance does not need any length of time. All it needs is a change of heart. The people of Nineveh managed to obtain God’s mercy through a true return to God in a short period of time, rather than over a long period of time. It behooves us, then, to spend all of our days in continuous true repentance, yearning to achieve the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:13) This expectation, however, should not take us away from the realization of God’s mercy, which is always waiting for everyone’s repentance to embrace them instantly. St. John Chrysostom says, “Where the fear of God is, there is no need for longevity. On the contrary, if there is no fear of God, time is meaningless… If we threw a rusty container in the furnace of the fear of God, it would be purified instantly.”

Second, the word “disaster” in this context denotes hardships or tribulations permitted by God to discipline human beings or to make an example of them before others. From the human point of view, it seems “evil”, but in essence, it is not. Tertullian says, “The Greeks use the word ‘disaster’ to mean hardships and the ensuing harm.” This understanding was reinforced by Father Theodore.

Third, some people used to stumble by the Biblical expression “God relented.” Does God change His mind? God uses this human expression to bring it closer to our minds. God does not relent, meaning He does not “change His mind”. Rather, it is humanity that changes its position toward God and then the sentence changes accordingly. When people challenge God, they fall under discipline, and when they cease to do evil and return to God, they find Him with His arms wide open to embrace them. This is what is meant by “relenting”. When God passes a sentence for disciplinary measures, He does not insist on its fulfillment, but rather, He announces the sentence so that people would stop their wicked ways and He would forgive them.

St. John Chrysostom says, “In the days of Jonah, if God had not threatened destruction, they would not have been spared from destruction. If God had not threatened with hell, we would have all fallen in it.” He adds, “A threat of danger results in escaping the same danger… a threat of danger brings on life. The sentence was nullified after it was announced, and this contradicts what happens with earthly judges, who pass a sentence and it becomes a fait accompli once pronounced. But to God, it is the opposite – the sentence is passed to be nullified.” How great is God’s mercy to us!

Thus, God blessed Nineveh with His mercies, and He also lifted Jonah from his dejection in chapter 4, by holding a conversation with Jonah in the east of the city to give peace to Jonah’s soul.

*This excerpt is taken from a larger work by Father Tadros Malaty entitled “Jonah”.