Beyond the Leaves of Our Choosing

Scripture:  Genesis 3:7-8 - "... the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden."
Genesis 3:22 - "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."

Life is beautifully complex, yet for freedom, often complicated, even wildly so.  God, as ultimate designer, as divine engineer, as perfecting artist has prescribed it as such, and has permitted it as such with the longing for our discovery of how every thread, from the least to the most elaborate, within the fabric of all that is, has its basis in love, His unique love. Our discovering is what makes for wisdom, and we are led every step of the way, individually, collectively, and generationally, though with choices.  We are challenged to discover the beauty of what God has done, is doing, and shall do. Even the imperfect has it's perfect place, beneath God's hand of blessing.

Every so often, we get it. And perhaps just as often we interject with 'I got this.' So I'm thinkin' now about our pal Jonah.

But we ought remember:

"...THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME..." [Jonah 1:1]

Before Jonah took to run from God, and 'sail away' from God, and declare his own manner of 'I got this', before all that; he encountered God... he heard from God. Before God put a ship in his path, and let him go, and created a storm, and introduced him to a big fish, he and God met. Much as we all may have had, God permitted the prodigal son season, and the far country, and God stayed, and suffered his freedom to go.

But Nineveh would be saved. Jonah would have his protest, but Nineveh would be saved.      

"AND THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO JONAH THE SECOND TIME..." [Jonah 3:1]

The book of Jonah for all appearances, is mostly about God reaching for the Ninevites. They were the terrible ones, they were not the chosen, but the gentiles, they had generations of experience with 'having the leaves of their choosing' much as their predecessors Adam and Eve. They were lost, but for God and His work through a reluctant [even protesting]prophet.

And to the pleasure of the LORD, and the displeasure of Jonah, they repented, and they were delivered. Jonah, for all of the length of the book having his name and its details, never came to an agreement with the LORD.

In baseball terminology Jonah had two strikes, and that's where the book ends. We hope that he at least  got on base, that he did not [figuratively]strike out.

Despite Jonah's discontent, Nineveh was spared.

"And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil that He said that He would do unto them; and He did it not. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry." [Jonah 3:10-4:1]

The cautionary note in this, is that we are not God, and the LORD will save whom He will. Nineveh was saved! God did for them what He did for us.

No matter what manner of leaf we pick, or how technically adept we are covering ourselves, it is the work of God which works, to bless.

"As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear." Proverbs 25:12

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths."

[Proverbs 3:5,6]

...And with this likely avoid the big fish!

Prayer:  Thank You LORD for Your incalculable immeasurable grace. Thank You for the LOVE that saves every day, for caring for me, and for blessing my hearing with the gospel. Nudge me to trust in You greatly, that I might lean rightly and declare through my ways, true gratefulness which acts. Bless You Jesus! Amen.

(by Dr. McNeal Brockington)