“We Serve An All-inclusive LORD!”

“We Serve An All-inclusive LORD!”(Jon.1:1-10).
Mungaka speakers have this name, “Mo’iwò?” It is a question,, “to whom does the other belong?” This question is asked as a means of curbing discrimination. It is intended to wipe out the “we and them/they and us syndrome!” Most African tribes have a perjorative term to address “outsiders!*
Communities, cultures, tribes and social stratification are constructed upon this misleading “we and them syndrome” concept.
The LORD asked Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because of its wickedness.“But Jonah ran away from the LORD” and took a contrary direction. The LORD had to bring Jonah back by raising a storm at sea to stall the ship in which Jonah was.
When it was found out that Jonah was the cause of the mishap, and when asked who he was, he answered,“I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven who made the sea and the land.”
Jonah represents Israel who considered that since they had a privileged relationship with the LORD, other nations did not matter. The LORD’S decision to send a Hebrew prophet to a non Hebrew people was a lesson to Israel that God is the LORD of every people everywhere.
This is a lesson to us to guard against the pull towards exclusivism, because the LORD is an all-inclusive God. The earth belongs to him and all who live in it. He is an impartial God, interested in the salvation of all who call on the name of his Son Jesus Christ and who do not show partiality
We must learn to give others a chance because the same God who appoints is the one who dissappoints! May his name be glorified now and for all times! Hallelujah!
Prayer of the week: Heavenly Father, free me from the spirit of discrimination and partiality. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.