When the message from Jonah about the judgment on Nineveh reached the king, he turned around immediately. He took off his robes, wrapped himself in sackcloth, and sat in ashes. He repented of his sins. He then used his influence to lead the entire city to repentance. He issued a decree that every citizen had to obey. When God saw this, he changed his mind and did not destroy Nineveh.
In this example, the influence of a single leader had an impact on an entire city. He was able to achieve this because he considered three aspects of good leadership:
- A clear example. He turned around first and thereby set an example (v6)
- A clear directive. He called his people to a very specific action (v7-8)
- A clear motivation. He gave the people a reason for this action (v9)
Jonah 3:6-10
6 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.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
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