We’re working our way through the story of Jonah. We’re at the point where the big fish has vomited Jonah out of its mouth. But Sunday is also Mother’s Day. What should I do, continue with the story or interrupt the series and preach a sermon more conducive to Mother’s Day? Of course there is a third alternative—continue with the story, but add a Mother’s Day twist—which is precisely what I intend to do.

Now we don’t know anything about Jonah’s mother so naturally, we don’t know anything about Jonah’s childhood. There’s no way to know whether Jonah had a history of running in the opposite direction when he was told to do something. But Jonah’s life does illustrate a biblical principle that reflects on the role of mothers in every age and in every place. It’s the principle of first time obedience.

We are like Jonah in so many ways. All of us. Even children. Obedience doesn’t come natural to any of us—especially first time obedience. This was particularly true of Jonah. In chapter 3:1-2 we read:

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.”

Note the crucial words “a second time.” God had to tell him again to do what he told him. God was being gracious. He gave Jonah a second chance. Does this mean God always gives everybody a second chance to obey when they disobey the first time? No, it doesn’t. Not everyone in the Bible got a second chance. I know that when preachers preach on this, we like to say, “He’s the God of the second chance.” But that’s not always true. Not everyone in the Bible got a second chance.

Just ask Ananias and Sapphira. Ask Lot’s wife. Check that out with King Saul who was removed from his kingship for his sinful rebellion.

The fact that God gave Jonah a second chance doesn’t mean that we will always be given a second chance when we disobey. Adults need to hear this because someone might read Jonah’s story and conclude, “It doesn’t matter whether I obey the first time because I’ll always get a second chance.” And children need to hear this too, lest they think, “I don’t have to obey Mom or Dad the first time they tell me to do something. I can wait until they give me a second chance, or third, or fourth, or until they just give in and let me do what I want.” All of us should know that God is not just as pleased with “second chance” obedience as He is with first time obedience. We should all learn to obey the first time and never assume that we are deserving of a “second chance.”