We begin a new school year and return to the story of Jonah.

What a wonderful time of soul-winning resulted from the preaching of Jonah in Nineveh. The people of the city repented and their number was in the 100,000s since there were some 120,000 children alone, 4:11. I don’t think there ever was a time of soul-winning which equalled this!

I. JONAH’S PREACHING WAS MOST SUCCESSFUL

There are few records of a more successful ministry than that given us here. What made it particularly marvellous was :

1. The wickedness of the people, 1:1, 3:4.

2. The disposition of the prophet, 4:1.

3. The brevity of the time, 3:3-4.

4. The number of converts, 4:11.

5. The depths of grace manifested, 3:7-10.

II. GOD’S WORD CAME EFFECTUALLY TO THE PEOPLE

“For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes,” Jonah 3:6. The word “CAME” = “TOUCH, SMITE”, Gen 3:3, 28:12 - “REACHED”.

1. It came with the power of God.It was as in Thessalonica, “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost,” 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6.

 2. It reached the king’s throne.This is most unusual, Luke 18:24-25; 1 Cor 1:26.

 3. It made the king an instrument of good.Jonah 3:7.