The Worth of a Soul
Lessons from the Story of Jonah
The Worth of a Soul
Lessons from the Story of Jonah
In today's society, where the theory of evolution gains acceptance, there is a troubling trend emerging – the idea that the value of animal life equals that of human life. This shift in perspective challenges our understanding of the worth of a human soul compared to earthly possessions.
Consider a documentary titled "Evolution vs. God" found on YouTube, which features interviews at UCLA regarding the belief in evolution. One question posed was whether one should choose to save a beloved dog or an unpopular neighbor if given the choice. To adherents of evolution, all life stems from the same primordial origins, rendering all life forms equal. Shockingly, those who embraced this doctrine tended to prioritize saving the dog over the human.
This skewed worldview, influenced by the acceptance of evolution, has caused society to place greater value on the lives of animals than on human beings. In this context, let us explore the story of Jonah, a character who lost sight of the eternal value of human souls.
I. Jonah's Assignment
God's direct command to Jonah was clear: go to Nineveh and preach (Jonah 1:2). Yet, Jonah chose to defy this divine order, setting sail in the opposite direction. This blatant disobedience to God's will triggered a great storm, putting the ship and its crew in peril (Jonah 1:3-4).
The crew, fearing for their lives, turned to their gods for help, eventually discovering Jonah asleep below deck (Jonah 1:5-6). Casting lots revealed Jonah as the cause of the calamity (Jonah 1:7). Jonah confessed his disobedience, and the crew, in awe of the true God, offered sacrifices (Jonah 1:10, 15-16).
Why would Jonah go to such lengths to disobey a direct command from God?
II. Jonah's Prejudice
Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was a city steeped in wickedness, and Jonah, a Jewish prophet, harbored deep-seated animosity toward its people (Jonah 4:1). The Assyrians were known for their cruelty, ruthless practices, and brutal treatment of captives, including the torture of pregnant women.
Jonah's prejudice against the Ninevites was akin to our reluctance to engage in a Bible study with someone like Adolf Hitler. However, Nineveh was also a city full of souls, and the Lord emphasizes the inestimable worth of a human soul (Matthew 16:26). Despite their perceived condition, the Gospel needed to be preached there for the purpose of saving precious souls.
In response to Jonah's simple sermon, the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and repented, even the king joined in (Jonah 3:4-6). Jonah's reaction to their conversion was not joy but anger (Jonah 4:1).
III. Jonah's Misplaced Compassion
Jonah left the city to see if God would still destroy it (Jonah 4:5). It appeared he was eagerly awaiting the city's destruction. Jonah's prejudice, his reluctance to preach, and his message gave no hint of hope or the possibility of repentance (Jonah 3:9-10). Yes, it seems clear to this writer that he delivered the message of God in the most ineffective way he could and then sat on the hill waiting for the fires from Heaven!
When God caused a gourd to grow and then took it away, Jonah was deeply grieved (Jonah 4:6-8). He cared more for this gourd, which he had not labored for and which lacked a soul, than for the countless souls in Nineveh (Jonah 4:10).
God drove His point home, asking Jonah if it was right for him to be angry about the gourd. Jonah's response was stubborn and selfish (Jonah 4:9). The book of Jonah concludes with God contrasting the worth of a gourd to that of 120,000 souls (Jonah 4:11). Can you imagine grieving more for the fleeting comfort of a wild gourd than for the souls of the city?
Conclusion
We, as Christians, are called to preach the Word of God just as Jonah was. Many excuses hinder this mission today, including preconceived notions and misconceptions about the effectiveness of preaching.
We must remember the value of a soul, which is greater than our comfort, time, pride, and convenience (Matthew 16:26). Let us cease grieving over the gourd and start caring deeply for the lost souls in our world, taking action to bring them to salvation (Matthew 28:18-20).