How Jehovah Displays Reasonableness

Consider again the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his family received explicit instructions from Jehovah's angel: "Escape to the mountainous region." However, this did not appeal to Lot. "Not that, please, Jehovah!" He begged. Convinced that he would die if he had to flee to the mountains, Lot pleaded that he and his family be allowed to flee to a nearby city named Zoar. Now, Jehovah had intended to destroy that city. Furthermore, Lot's fears had no real basis. Surely Jehovah could preserve Lot alive in the mountains! Nonetheless, Jehovah yielded to Lot's pleas and spared Zoar. "Here I do show you consideration to this extent also," the angel told Lot. (Genesis 19:17-22) Was that not reasonable on Jehovah's part?

Jehovah also responds to heartfelt repentance, always doing what is merciful and right. Consider what occurred when the prophet Jonah was sent to the wicked, violent city of Nineveh. When Jonah marched through the streets of Nineveh, the inspired message he proclaimed was quite simple:: The mighty city would be destroyed in 40 days. However, circumstances changed dramatically. The Ninevites repented! -Jonah, chapter 3.

It is instructive to compare how Jehovah reacted with how Jonah reacted to this turn of events. In this instance, Jehovah adapted, causing himself to become a Forgiver of sins instead of "a manly person of war." (Exodus 15:3) Jonah, on the other hand, was inflexible and far less merciful. Rather than reflecting Jehovah's reasonableness, he responded more like the freight train or the supertanker mentioned earlier. He had proclaimed doom, so doom it must be! Patiently, though, Jehovah taught his impatient prophet a memorable lesson in reasonableness and mercy. -Jonah, chapter 4.

Next time: The conclusion of How Jehovah Displays Reasonableness

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002