Jonah Chapter 1 Part 1 Nineveh

The Book of Jonah (Dove)

JONAH was the most ancient of all the prophets whose writings have come down to us. He is supposed to have prophesied in the latter end of Jehu’s or the beginning of Jehoahaz’s reign

The author of the book is Jonah. His name (הָונֹי Yonah) means “dove.” Yahshua Messiah mentions Jonah, and the account of this book, as true history (Mat 12:39-41).

The book of Jonah was written to Israel to show that Yahweh’s grace and mercy extends to Gentiles, even those whom Israel regards as their evil enemies.

Jonah had strong national pride and hated the Assyrians, and his attitude reflected that of Israel. Though Yahweh hated the evil of the Assyrians, He loved them and desired their salvation. For this reason, Yahweh called Jonah to preach to them (Jon 1:1-2), but His prophet declined and ran away (Jon 1:3). Yahweh began a series of judgments upon His disobedient prophet which included a storm (Jon 1:4), the pressure of Gentile sailors (Jon 1:5-16), and a great fish that swallowed him (Jon 1:17). From the belly of the great fish Jonah was humbled and cried out to the Lord, who saved him (Jon 2:1-10). The humbled prophet then obeyed the Lord and preached to the Ninevites (Jon 3:1-4), and the people of the city believed in Yahweh and the Lord changed His mind about the judgment He was going to bring on them (Jon 3:5-10). Yahweh’s mercy and grace greatly upset Jonah to the point where he wanted to die (Jon 4:1-3), but the grace Yahweh showed to Nineveh was shown to Jonah, which grace reflects the Lord’s sovereignty (Jon 4:4-11). The overall purpose of the book of Jonah is to reveal that Yahweh’s grace, compassion, and mercy extends to evil and hostile nations just as it does to His people.

In this Part 1 of Chapter 1, I go into the evilness of Nineveh, the city which Yahweh instructed Jonah to go to and preach the righteousness of Yahweh.

Nineveh was founded by Nimrod [Gen 10:8-11] and is at the time of this writing the Capitol of Assyria. Nineveh is of Babylonian origin and the people there were heathen, worshiping other gods including a fish god named Dagon. The fish was worshiped among the Philistines and also in Assyria as the emblem of fruitfulness, richfulness etc.; Dagon, half man half fish; Therefore, the worship is forbidden [Duet 4:18]. 

I go to the writing of the Prophet Nahum, who in Chapter 3 shows us the evilness that lies within this city of Nineveh.
We need to know three condemnations that Yahweh brings against Nineveh and its result so that we desire to see Yahweh’s deliverance and also destruction of the wicked.

Be warned that Yahweh condemn Nineveh’s violation of the Ten Commandments (v.1)

Be warned that Yahweh condemn Nineveh’s militarism (v.2-3)

Be warned that Yahweh condemn Nineveh’s human trafficking (v.4)

We need to know Yahweh’s punishment of Nineveh and its outcome (v.5-7)

We read that Nineveh was guilty of breaking the 6th, 8th, and 9th commandments set forth by Yahweh there in Exodus Chapter 20

 Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!

 Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com