Jonah 3:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Hence, after a period of daily discussions, I now, by the Lord’s grace, fulfill my obligation to you. While different counsel may assist various individuals, I believe the remedy of repentance is essential for all. Since no one is devoid of sin, it is evident there exists a need for repentance. For those in need of such, examples of those saved through repentance serve as reminders that they, too, can attain salvation along the same path. Let us reflect on those who, abandoning a life of wickedness, were exalted in righteousness. Let us witness how those who behaved like beasts ascended to the ranks of angels. Let us contemplate those who, after bringing destruction upon their city, restored it through virtue. Let us observe those who turned from being enemies of God to becoming His friends, to whom the Lord shifted from an avenging Judge to a defender. Let us see how those, after receiving a sentence, fought with the Judge and the penalty was not enforced. Let us understand how God, in human form, acted contrary to His own decree. Let us begin with the prophet’s proclamation, which stirred the city, as a powerful wind agitating the sea; so too did Jonah’s voice resonate among the people of Nineveh, creating great agitation and turmoil. Let us hear how the city, upon believing the message, did not spiral into despair, but rushed towards repentance, seeking to revere and appease God instead of relying on its own safety. What actions were taken for this appeasement? Some have been mentioned, yet it is essential to note that: "And they declared a fast, and clothed themselves in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least." Oh, what a marvelous miracle, formidable to mankind, yet desired by angels! Picture a vast assembly of husbands, wives, and children, clad in sackcloth, gathering together, setting aside their usual tasks and worldly concerns; envision a scene where none engage in other activities, but all unite in prayer, weeping, and crying out to heaven. Visualize the divisions between masters and servants, and between superiors and inferiors, vanishing; behold the king, in humble attire, amidst the people, serving God as if it were a common duty.

This response is remarkable and speaks volumes about the faith of those who listened; for they swiftly and willingly heeded the admonitions of a man calling them to reform and humbly bent their ears to divine counsel, responding to a call for repentance from someone they had not known before. Such was the conduct of the Ninevites. In contrast, the foolishness of Israel was evident in their disobedience to the law; they ridiculed Moses and disregarded the words of the Prophets. But why delve deeper into that? They even acted as instruments of Christ's betrayal. The state of the Ninevites was indeed more favorable than that of the Israelites, a truth acknowledged by the Almighty when speaking to Ezekiel: “Son of man, go and enter into the house of Israel, not to a people of foreign speech and difficult language, but if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. But the house of Israel will not listen to you, for they are a rebellious people and hard-hearted” (Ezekiel 3:4-7). Indeed, the foreign-speaking, morally corrupt, and carefree Ninevites honored the prophetic call and quickly recognized their need for repentance, whereas the obstinate Israelites failed to regard even the Lord of the law and the prophets.

The act of fasting coupled with the donning of sackcloth serves as instruments of repentance, aiding those who err; first comes the fasting, followed by the wearing of sorrowful attire. The former is primarily for God’s honor, and the latter may also serve social affirmation; however, if one had to be forsaken, it would be preferable to fast without wearing the garment than to adorn oneself without fasting. Repentance begins with the individuals of greatest age and extends to the least, for no one is free from sin, as ‘even if his life on earth be but one day, and the years of his life be numbered’ (Job 14:5). For ‘though ... the stars are unclean in the sight of God, much more the worm and the pus’ (Job 25:5-6), as those culpable of the sin of Adam. The progression of thought is also striking: God commands the prophet; the prophet proclaims the message to the city; the people believe first, and upon announcing a fast, all generations are adorned in sackcloth. The people do not merely announce fasting but emphasize fasting alone; yet those compelled to repent will naturally associate fasting with wearing sorrowful garments, enabling them to pray to God with greater intensity on an empty stomach, and in attire suited to lamentation.

Let us, dear brethren, humble our hearts before God, submitting to His unfathomable plans. We must acknowledge not only God's righteousness, which is poised to chastise our transgressions, condemning our lives unworthy of the Christian calling, but also His compassion and patience, which does not strike us without warning. Rather, He reveals the punishment that has befallen others while merely threatening us. He, in His protective mercy, says: “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5).

Let us turn to repentance, dear ones, and produce fruit that is consistent with it, which is the amendment of our lives. We must cast aside pride, vanity, and haughtiness. Let us rekindle our faith. We should place our hope in God and in the name of Jesus Christ, the Mediator between God and humanity, the Redeemer of sinners and the lost. Let us uproot covetousness, the source of all evil, from our hearts. Let us amplify our acts of charity, honesty, and kindness. We must abstain from extravagance and deny the cravings that lure us towards unnecessary indulgences.

Let us embrace self-control and fasting. If we cannot clothe ourselves in fine garments, let us instead wear simplicity. We must renounce superficial decorations, which are often trivial and capricious. Let us disregard frivolous entertainments that waste the time appointed for righteous deeds. We should enhance our prayers—both those hidden in our hearts and those expressed publicly, according to the guidance of the Holy Church.

Let us diligently and faithfully partake of the wholesome and all-healing remedy, the peace-offering, the bloodless sacrifice, through the communion of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

On one hand, they acknowledged the certainty of God's warning, understanding that if they did not turn from their ways, it would surely come to pass; on the other hand, they placed their faith in God's mercy, knowing that He would spare them if they genuinely repented of the sins that had invoked His righteous anger.

In response, they decreed a fast and donned sackcloth. The acts of fasting and wearing coarse garments were traditional signs of repentance, drawing from the examples set by Job, David, and Hezekiah. Simultaneously, the atmosphere was filled with cries of grief and sorrow, revealing genuine contrition and fervent pleas for forgiveness directed to the God of Jonah, whom they acknowledged as the true God. This recognition was not foreign to the Assyrians, descendants of Shem, who shared a common heritage with the Hebrews and had some belief in both the true God and false idols. Everyone, including children, took part in this collective act of repentance, from the highest to the lowest, as innocent lives were included in the hope that the Lord might show mercy to the guilty for the sake of the innocent.