Overthrown

Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” Jonah 3:4

He preached to Nineveh's proud, hardened heart Both to high and low in station and in rank, And hearing and humbled they rent garments apart They fasted in sackcloth, neither feasted nor drank. The mighty King of Nineveh in ashed humility Cried out for mercy from Jonah's God alone. And hearing his cry, God in mercy received Forgiving his violence, his prodigal o'erthrown. For forty days I walked here bewildered To this wicked, foreign, unwelcoming land, Having spent mercy's portion from justice delivered How forgiven again? How received by his hand? What king will pay out the forgiveness I seek? Whose righteousness redeem this rebel become weak?

(c)Randy Edwards artwork: Jonah Preaches in Nineveh Gustave Doré (1832-1883) #poetry #sonnet #christian #devotional #Jonah #sermonsonnet