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Why would God choose to pardon Ninevah after they repented during Jonah's time if he knew they would later attack Israel?
Nineveh was not destroyed instead led to repentance. It is clear that God accepts repentance. But Nineveh later was among the nations that attacked Israel. Is there any historical reason--a-Biblical too--for preserving Nineveh that time? Appreciate any Biblical reference to that, if any.
Jonah 1:1 - 17
ESV - 1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying. 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me."
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Asked November 16 2019
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Pamela C
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
I would say that, irrespective of Nineveh's later behavior after God had spared it in the time of Jonah, Assyria (of which Nineveh was the capital) was the instrument that God Himself used to later execute His own judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel because of its idolatry and other sins, as recounted in 2 Kings 17. Perhaps God's sparing of Nineveh at the time of Jonah (in addition to being a response to the Ninevites' repentance at that time) was connected to God's foreknowledge of that later purpose (although that fact would not have constituted His approval of any "backsliding" by Assyria after its initial repentance). This is similar to the way in which God later used another pagan kingdom (Babylon) to execute his judgment against Judah, and to carry it into exile (with God even referring to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, as His servant in that regard (Jeremiah 43:10)) -- although He also later brought about the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 13; Isaiah 21) of the destruction of Babylon. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations, even if those nations do not recognize Him as God.
Lena Wms
Supporter
I believe that the Bible itself is it's own best commentary. God was gracious to the city of Nineveh because of their repentance before Him. To imply that our Heavenly Father spares His judgment from a group of people just to later use that people as weapons is dangerous error in reasoning. 2Pet 2:9 The LORD is not willing that ANY should perish... John 3:16 God loves the whole world... not just a part of it or just a certain people. As we look into God's holy Word, we must remember that God loves every single creature He has created. What He abhors is sin. This is what must be punished. Now whatever punishment God chooses to use is just and Holy for He is the Just Judge. John 5:30 I believe that we must remember the things God ask Jonah, about all the souls in Nineveh, God created each one of them and cared for them. Jonah was worried about how he would look like a false prophet? This couldn't have been the case. He told the truth exactly as God had said. "If you don't repent, I will destroy this place. But if you do repent I will allow you to live." Jonah was just angry because God's mercy was extended to uncircumcised heathens. Tale as old as time, racism reared its ugly head! Be Blessed Lena
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