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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: DIARY (05/16/19)
Through the years I have kept a journal which occasionally has to be dusted off, searched through and possibly quoted to enhance a recollection or settle an argument. Sometimes it is a fond trip down memory lane to discover what lessons were learned at a particular time. Of late I have wondered how we might learn from the diaries of characters in the Bible if they had shared their thoughts for later generations.

For Example:-

Jonah: Day one.
Today I received a mysterious challenge. It came into my mind about those pesky Ninevites and ways that Yahweh should punish them. So overbearing and arrogant they are, typical of Assyrians. I hate their oppression and cruelty. Will we never be rid of them?
Then I received a word from Yahweh. ‘Go to that wicked city and tell them I see their evil ways and unless they repent, in forty days they will be destroyed as other cities have been.

No, I can’t do that. I am NOT going. No way will I go to warn them. They deserve to be annihilated. Anyway, it’s too long and dusty a road.

Day two.
I have booked a passage to Tarshish and leave on the evening tide. That should be far enough away from Nineveh for Yahweh to leave them to perish without warning.

Day five.
Ugh! I am green and slimy – and on my way to Nineveh. Why did I try to disobey the instruction given to me? There was a storm and I knew it was my fault so I told the sailors to throw me overboard. Now no-one will want to listen to me anyway for I have been in a great fish for three days, and only when I prayed did Yahweh persuade it to vomit me up on the beach. I stink – that should be enough to have people turn from me rather than listen to my message.

Day eight.
I have walked this city for three days and right from day one the people have responded. Even the king has decided to put on sackcloth and pray for deliverance, so now? What does Yahweh do now? I hope He will fulfil His threats as He did with the other nations.

Day forty-eight.
Just as I expected. He listened to them and relented. He gave them forty days to repent and change their ways and now the forty days are up and here they still are, laughing, joking, celebrating.

Day forty- nine.
I am so angry I have come to sit and watch. I might have guessed Yahweh would forgive and let these wicked people off. I wish I could die. It’s hot enough for me to melt yet I must watch the people rejoicing, partying and thinking they can do as they please because Yahweh has been merciful. The sun is so hot the leaves of my shelter wilt so why was Yahweh so gracious as to provide shade for me?

Day fifty.
I no longer have shade. A worm has eaten the vine that sheltered me. Death would be better than this. And what’s worse, Yahweh tells me I have no right to be angry. He tells me to catch a wake-up and recognise His mercy. He says He has a right to do as He pleases and that what I think is immaterial.
He is G_d and I am not.

***

How do we respond when God says ‘No’ or does the opposite of what we ask? What would the diaries of others such as Samson, Eli, and Pontius Pilate have to tell us? Would they all agree that God is God and they were not?

Isaiah 30:18Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.

Jeremiah 18:8 But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to inflict.

Jonah 4:11 So should I not care about the city of Nineveh, which has more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left and many cattle as well.

Indeed, He is God and I am not. All glory to Him. Amen.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Barbara Culler 
05/23/19
I really liked this- great take on Jonah's diary! Samson's would really be interesting to read!
Edy T Johnson
05/23/19
I absolutely LOVE this! Such a creative idea, I can hardly wait to learn who you, the author, might be. When I find out, I want to ask permission to share the link with friends on Facebook. You might consider a big project of turning this and other ideas you gave in your conclusion into a book. I've never encountered anything like it!
Edy T Johnson
05/23/19
Oh, yes, Barbara! Ruth's and Rahab's and so many more "diaries" would be fascinating reading, for sure.
Joanney Uthe 
05/27/19
I love your take on the topic. I agree that many of the other characters of the Bible would be interesting diaries as well. I like the idea of making a book of them. Would be fun to read.