This is a short book of three chapters that exclusively focuses on the oncoming destruction of Ninevah. God is angry at Ninevah and it will be destroyed.
Although the focus is on Ninevah, the judgment probably is against the greater Assyrian nation as a whole, as Ninevah was the capital at the time.
Notably, the book makes no mention of the exile into the Assyrian nation when they conquered the northern kingdom. Rather, the judgment is because Ninevah was a "prostitute". Why is God calling them a prostitute? Why don't we see such accusations levied against other contemporary nations?
I don't know, but what comes to my mind is the book of Jonah. Jonah had a similar prophecy about Ninevah, which he shared with them. In response, they turned to God and repented. Now, God has lost patience with them and is ready to destroy them. So, this attempt to use another nation has failed. God is angry because this nation has become a prostitute. Although this attempt failed, we will see God embracing other nations in the New Testament when Paul took the Gospel to the Gentiles.
No comments:
Post a Comment