We read in Jonah 3:6, “When the king of Nineveh heard about it, he got up from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat down in ashes.” (GNB)
Jonah was sent by God to the city of Nineveh, and the message that Jonah preached was that the city would be destroyed in forty days. When the news of this forthcoming judgement of God reached the ears of the king, this is what he did. Firstly, he got up from his throne, secondly he put off his royal robe to put on sackcloth, and finally he sat down in ashes. For a king his royal robe signified that he was the king, and by putting it off, it implied that the king was setting his position aside.
We all know that each school has their own uniform for their children, in order to identify those students who belong to that particular school. Clothes therefore in a way signify who we are.
The bible gives us counsel as to the kind of clothes that we as children of God should wear. We read in the book of Genesis that God Himself gave Adam and Eve garments of skin to wear so they can cover their nakedness. If we read the book of Revelation there is mention of the white robes that would be given to the righteous ones. Salvation which is a priceless gift that Jesus gave to us by saving us from the torment of hell, to be reconciled back to God, is referred to as a garment that God offers us.
Paul writing to the churches in his days taught them about the appropriate dress code for women. We read in 1 Timothy 2:9, “And that the women would also pray with clean hearts, dressed appropriately and adorned modestly and sensibly, not flaunting their wealth.” (TPT) and in 1 Timothy 2:10 we read, “This is what is proper for women who claim to have reverence for God.” (GW)
This was Paul’s exhortation to those women who claimed that they had reverence for God. These days all these things have become a matter of dispute, simply because many are not willing to live in obedience to the word of God. It is good to remind ourselves that the word of God is unchanging, and was not in any way targeted for one particular church or group that they were written to. All of God’s word is given to us for our benefit, and we should never forget this fact. Paul talked about being dressed appropriately, which then implied that it is good to set aside inappropriate clothing. In recent times fashion trends are generally prompted by the styles that are being promoted in the movies. Interestingly, the film stars who wear such clothes in the movies, are mostly not dressed that way in real life, as they themselves avoid such attire. Nonetheless, many want to follow these styles which is some ways become a hindrance to others.
God covers while Satan uncovers
When Adam and Eve sinned they immediately recognized that they were naked. We read in Genesis 3:21, “And the LORD God made clothes out of animal skins for Adam and his wife, and he clothed them.” (GNB)
• The transformation of the demoniac
Let me share another scripture from Luke 8:27, “And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.”(NKJV)
As Jesus stepped onto the land of Gadarenes, He was met by a demon possessed man whose first identification was that he wore no clothes. While God gave garments to Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness, we find that Satan unrobed a man so as to expose his shamefulness. This is an important difference that we must take note of. Observe what happened to this man once Jesus had driven out all the demons from him.
We read in Luke 8:35, “Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid” (ESV)
The man was completely transformed was in his right mind, and was clothed appropriately. This man had a reputation of being demon possessed, of living among the tombs, and when Jesus delivered him, he was changed, and clothed. The Spirit of God has made this connection for a specific purpose to help us realize that the man when possessed was without clothes, and when he was set free, was properly clothed.
Let us be reminded that the Lord clothes us, and Satan uncovers. If we can keep this thought in our minds, we will never dress inappropriately, nor will we encourage our children to do so. Jesus cautioned us that we should not hinder any of these little ones, which implies that we should not put a stumbling block in the path of others by our words, deeds or even our clothing.
As we leave the house I am sure that most of us have the habit of looking at ourselves in the mirror. Before we step out of our homes, let us be sure that we are dressed modestly and appropriately, as would be pleasing to God. Let us learn from God’s word, and be willing to change in areas where we need to change.
The King of Nineveh put on sackcloth
We read again from Jonah 3:6, “When the king of Nineveh heard about it, he got up from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat down in ashes.” (GNB)
When the king of Nineveh heard about the imminent doom that lay ahead of him and his people, he put off his royal robe, and put on sackcloth instead. The sackcloth symbolized sadness, remorse grief and humility. The sackcloth was the outward symbol of the inward change of heart.
Every time we repent and feel sorrow for our wrong doing we are sure to receive the grace of God. We read in Proverbs 28:13, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (NKJV)
Whoever you are no matter how big you think the sin that you committed, if you repent and confess your sins, the Lord will have mercy on you and forgive you.
The wickedness of King Ahab
We read in 1 Kings 21:25, “There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited.” (ESV)
This is the record of King Ahab whose wife always incited him to do wrong. Both Ahab and Jezebel did many wicked things during the time of their reign. The bible refers to Ahab as a wicked man who sold himself to do evil, and that there was none as wicked as him.
Ahab repented and God relented
God sent the prophet Elijah to King Ahab to rebuke him, and speak words of judgement on him for all his evil ways. This was the response of King Ahab to this message as recorded in 1 Kings 21:27, “And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly.” (ESV)
Notice the change that took place in King Ahab. He humbled himself, put on sackcloth, fasted, and went about with penitence and grief. This was so unlike Ahab who earlier when he was refused the vineyard of his neighbor Naboth, went home, and lay on his bed pouting, and unwilling to eat because he did not get what he wanted. When his wife Jezebel heard about this, she assured him that she would somehow acquire the vineyard for Ahab. Jezebel was so wicked that she set up false witnesses against Naboth, and had him stoned so that she could procure the vineyard to give it to Ahab. However, when the word of God came through the prophet Elijah, there was no change in Jezebel, but Ahab was filled with contrition.
There are some people who when they do not get what they desire, will sulk and be grouchy until they get what they wanted. This is a behavior that God does not approve of. The Lord wants to give us good things when we ask Him, but so often we ask for those things that are not necessary. If the Lord gives us ‘No’ for an answer, we must be willing to accept it as being best for us.
Though Jezebel and Ahab were entirely wicked, when Ahab repented God took note of him with mercy. God’s word to the prophet Elijah is recorded in 1 Kings 21:29, “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me?” (NLT)
Every time we repent we can be sure that God will certainly forgive us. God was gracious to King Ahab, and he passed on the punishment that was due to him, to his descendants.
The unrepentant cities
These are the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:21, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (NKJV)
As Jesus preached in the towns of Galilee, the people in those towns realized that Jesus preached with authority, and that it was unlike the teaching of the religious leaders of their times. The teachings of Jesus was also confirmed with miraculous signs and wonders that He performed. However, the people who saw these miracles and heard the teachings of Jesus did not give room for any sort of change in their lives. Everything was being carried on in the temple as usual, the worship, the sacrifices, the feasts and the rituals. However, when Jesus went into the temple, He made a whip of chords, and drove all those who sold merchandise and made money at the temple. Jesus rebuked them for having made the temple which was meant to be a house of prayer, into a den of thieves. The people of the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida were so content with the exteriors, and were not willing to let go of their hypocrisy. Jesus had to warn them that if what He had preached to them had been preached to the cities of Tyre and Sidon, they would have most certainly repented in sackcloth and ashes.
If Jesus were to come today, I wonder how many churches would be looked on with His disfavor and disapproval. The Lord is seeking for those who will come to Him with repentant hearts. Whenever we do wrong let us immediately go to the Lord, and seek His pardon. Let us never delay setting things right in our lives. Be sure that when we turn to the Lord we will certainly receive His mercy and pardon.
God desires good fruit
It is written in Isaiah 5:4, “What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?” (ESV)
These are the words of God spoken with much anguish. The vineyard is the church of God, and there is nothing more that He can do than what has been done already. Jesus paid the price with His own blood, and gave His life to purchase the church to be His own, so that they will bear much fruit. In spite of all that God has done there is no good fruit that is being produced rather only wild grapes.
It is good to ask ourselves if we as a church are loving, disciplined, accountable, holy, and have the desire to bear with each other. Are we as a church encouraging one another and do we pray for each other? If these fruits are missing, then we can be sure that we are grieving the heart of God, and we must sincerely pray that we will change. May we too repent of our divisions, hatred, slander against one another, and keep in mind that we are children of one heavenly father. We as a church must be ready to forgive one another. Jesus made this a part of the prayer that He taught when He said, ‘Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.’
This is the time to repent and let the love of God fill our hearts. Jesus spoke the truth, and stood for the truth, even when the majority turned against Him. His only desire was to fulfill the will of His father in heaven, and Jesus faithfully accomplished it till the very end. Jesus has done everything for us so may we be willing to produce the good fruit that God is seeking. Let everything we do be it our thoughts, words, deeds or dressing be pleasing to God. Let us remind ourselves every day that we are safe, and not consumed only because of the grace of God. Let us therefore turn to Him, and produce fruit that He desires in every area of our lives.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
