The Prophet Knew - 7 #CreativeAward2024 #FantasyNovelCategory

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Nineveh - Recovery

　In Nineveh, the night had continued since the previous day.
　Everyone, from the King to the soldiers, the residents of the city, and even the livestock, was fasting and praying to the Lord.

　That night, the Lord spoke to Jonah.
“I will reconsider the destruction of Nineveh. I will not bring disaster upon Nineveh. As long as Nineveh does not again commit what is evil in my eyes, peace shall continue for Nineveh.”

　The next morning—the morning of the day of destruction—the sun rose for the first time in two days.
　Jonah woke Garcia up early in the morning, conveyed the Lord's prophecy from the previous night, and asked him to go and tell the King immediately.
　Then, he said his goodbyes, saying, “I am returning to Israel now. Thank you. Take care.”
　Garcia held Jonah's hand and lamented their parting, saying, “Thank you so much, truly. It is thanks to you, Jonah, that Nineveh was saved. I cannot thank you enough. Take care on your journey.”
　Van waved his hand, saying, “Brother Jonah, if I ever go to Israel, I will definitely come to visit you.”
　Jonah left the house where Garcia and Van lived.

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　Jonah climbed the hill to the east, from which the city could be overlooked, and sat down.
　The sunlight was pouring brilliantly onto Nineveh. It was a dazzling brightness that made the darkness until yesterday seem like a lie. The people must have heard the King's proclamation—the prophecy that Garcia had conveyed to the King, that the Lord had forgiven Nineveh—and were likely thanking the Lord and rejoicing with one another. The joy of the people in the city reached him.

　Jonah thought it was good that Nineveh was not destroyed. But on the other hand, his heart was filled with an indescribable sense of unease.
“Why did it turn out like this?
　Doesn't this make me a traitor to Israel?
　If I hadn't declared destruction in Nineveh, Nineveh would have been destroyed, Assyria would have been weakened, and Israel could have remained at peace forever.”
　Hearing such complaints from Jonah, the Lord spoke.
“Jonah. You were faithful to me. You are not a traitor. I will bless you.”
“Lord. I knew it.
　That you are a merciful God, and one who prioritizes blessing over anger.
　That if the people of Nineveh truly acknowledged their mistakes and swore not to torment their neighbors, you would reconsider the disaster upon Nineveh.
　That is why I said it, didn't I? ‘Nineveh should be destroyed. Assyria should just be destroyed.’
　Once I came to Nineveh, once I met the good people of Nineveh, I couldn't say that they should be destroyed.
　Lord. You are unfair! To bring me to Nineveh and make me help you reconsider the destruction of Nineveh!
　How am I supposed to make excuses to Jeroboam II—the King of Israel?
‘I thought about destroying Nineveh, but when I conveyed the Lord's words, everyone prayed that they would not do it again, so I reconsidered,’ the Lord says. That is why Nineveh was not destroyed.
　...There is no way I can say that.
　Oh, I don't want to go back to Israel.
　But I am worried about Mother and Mary. I hope they don't suffer terrible treatment because of me...
　Oh, forget it, Nineveh should have been destroyed after all. I shouldn't have come to Nineveh.
　Oh, it's hot. What is this sunlight? Are you trying to burn me to death? No, just burn me to death. Nothing good has ever happened in my life.”
“Jonah, don't be so angry.”
　To soothe the angry Jonah, the Lord planted a castor bean plant. The castor bean grew in an instant, and its large leaves provided shade for Jonah.
　When did it... Jonah was puzzled, but as his body temperature dropped, his heated feelings calmed down a little.
　Jonah spent his time blankly looking down at the city, and before he knew it, he fell asleep under the castor bean plant.

　The next morning, the Lord placed a worm on the leaves of the castor bean. The worm ate the leaves, and the castor bean withered.
　The strong morning sun shone on Jonah again. Jonah woke up and started getting angry again.
“What is this leaf! What do you mean it withered in one night!
　Oh, there is nothing good anymore. Even the leaves are making a fool of me!”
　The Lord spoke to the angry Jonah.
“Jonah. Why are you angry about the withered castor bean?”
“Lord. It is natural to be angry. It provided shade yesterday, but it withered immediately.”
　Hearing that, the Lord said gently.
“Did you plant the seeds, water them, and grow the castor bean?
　Why are you, who did nothing, angry at the castor bean?
　There are humans here whom I created and raised.
　There are over 120,000 people here who have never heard my voice, and many livestock.
　I could not just destroy this Nineveh without doing anything.
　That is why I sent you and delivered my words.
　It was a harsh mission for you, but you did well. I thank you. I am grateful. Thank you.”

　Jonah felt the Lord bow his head, and his anger subsided smoothly.
　The God of Israel, the Lord, is the God who created all humanity and all creation. The Lord says that He loves us in Israel, but He also cares about the people of other countries. How foolish I was not to realize that. I am not fit to be a prophet.
　As he was thinking about that, the Lord spoke in a casual tone.
“Jonah. You were just thinking that you weren't fit to be a prophet, weren't you? You understood my thoughts just from those words earlier, so you are a fine prophet. You don't have to be pessimistic.
　Besides, as I said earlier, your work this time was truly magnificent. Thanks to you, I was able to avoid destroying Nineveh. You are the savior of Nineveh.”
“Lord, you forgive me, don't you? Thank you very much.
　If possible, I would like to continue to serve you.”
“What are you saying? Aren't Jonah and I close? I should be the one saying that.”
　Jonah loved the Lord, who was terrifying when angry, but if one admitted their faults and apologized, would treat them as if nothing had happened and interact with them closely.

　Having reconciled with the Lord and sorted out his muddled feelings, Jonah began his journey home.

(To be continued)