Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Nehemiah 5-7
     New Testament Reading: Matthew 12

For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s preaching; and look—something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look—something greater than Solomon is here (Matthew 12:40-42).

The prophet Jonah was a Jew sent to the Gentiles, and the Queen of Sheba was a Gentile who came to visit Solomon, a Jew. Because of the bitterness between the Jews and the Gentiles, this reference to the Gentiles must have irritated the Pharisees.

Jonah was a sign to the people of Nineveh because he had experienced (in the huge fish) death, burial, and resurrection. The Pharisees wanted a sign from Jesus, but the only sign Jesus would give them was His death, burial, and resurrection. The message of the first seven chapters of Acts centers on the resurrection of Christ, not His death on the cross. The Jews of that day believed that He had died, for this was the topic of conversation. But they did not believe that He was alive. In Acts 2-7, the Holy Spirit gave to the nation of Israel abundant witness that Jesus was alive. This was the only sign they needed.

Jesus was greater than Jonah. He is greater in His person, for Jonah was a mere man. He was greater in His obedience, for Jonah disobeyed God and was chastened. Jesus arose from the dead under His own power. Jonah ministered to only one city, while Jesus gave His life for the entire world. Certainly, Jesus was greater in His love, for Jonah did not love the people of Nineveh. He wanted them to die. Jonah’s message saved Nineveh from judgment; he was a messenger of the wrath of God. Jesus’ message was that of grace and salvation. When we trust Christ, not only are we saved from judgment, but we receive eternal, abundant life.

Jesus is also greater than Solomon in His wisdom, wealth, and works. Solomon’s kingdom amazed the Queen of Sheba, but the kingdom of God far surpasses Solomon’s glories. To sit at Christ’s table and hear His words, and to share His blessings, is much more satisfying than to visit and admire the spectacular kingdom of Solomon.

The main teaching behind this history lesson is this: The citizens of Nineveh will witness against the rulers of Israel, for they repented at Jonah’s preaching. The Queen of Sheba will also witness against them. She traveled a long distance to hear Solomon’s wisdom, yet the Jewish leaders rejected the wisdom of Christ, who was in their very midst.

The greater the opportunity, the greater the judgment. What judgment must await America? Never has there been greater access to God’s Holy Scripture, you can download it for free from the Internet or phone apps. There are Bible-believing churches on every street in America. Preachers and teachers are proclaiming God’s truths on radio, TV, and the Internet. The opportunity is there to hear about and learn about Christ. Will we come to Him in repentance and surrender our lives to him and continue to walk in obedience to Him?