Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria. The Assyrians were the enemies of the Jews, defeating them and taking over their land. Many of the residents were sent to places all over the Assyrian Empire. And people from all over the Assyrian Empire were brought in to replace them. Jonah thought they deserved God’s judgment.
Jonah 3:4 (ESV)
Jonah began to go into the city … And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
God gave the Ninevites a second chance. They took Jonah’s declaration to heart and repented. Instead of wrath, God poured out mercy.
Good morning, Lord. You are merciful, so merciful that I sometimes forget that You’re also holy. I climb into Your loving lap like a child, knowing I’m safe there. But Your throne is also a place of holy and powerful judgment. If I don’t acknowledge Your righteous anger, I can’t fully appreciate Your loving mercy. Help me comprehend both Your holiness and Your mercy.
