What does God think of evil people? What does God think of people who disobey Him, and are opposed to Him and His ways? Well, according to Jonah 3:3, God thinks they’re great. We’re going to see that the wicked and violent people of Nineveh are great to God.
Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, and so this is why I titled today’s podcast Making Assyria Great Again. Assyria was in modern day Iraq, so maybe I could have said Make Iraq Great Again. I know, that’s a challenging thought. But if God thinks they’re great, who are we to disagree? This is what we learn from Jonah 3:3.
The Text of Jonah 3:3
So Jonah got up and walked to Nineveh, according to the word of Yahweh. Now Nineveh was a great city to God, a three-days’ walk.
In this discussion of Jonah 3:3 we look at:
- How Jonah finally obeyed God
- The size of Nineveh
- What it means that the city was great “to God”
- How Jonah 3:3 reveals God’s love for all people
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Jeremy, do you think everyone that you pity and show mercy to are “great” people?
Why do you insist on putting words into God’s mouth?
I think all people are great people. So does God.
Since Jesus loves all and died for all, and since Jesus is the “Word” of God, then I am not putting words in God’s mouth, but only following what the Word reveals about God.
Jeremy Myers, ….amen!
This is a challenging teaching. I’ve been comfortable most of my Christian life believing that God hates those that hate/hurt me. But, my thinking is changing. It’s much harder, and not the least bit comforting, to think that God isn’t hating my enemies, that he loves them as much as he loves me. Means I have to think differently about them, actually try to – umm – love them. Thanks a lot Jeremy!!!
Jeremy, it is putting words in God’s mouth, when you take a statement that is clearly about the physical size of a city, and apply it as a general assessment of holistic value.
You also error gravely in equating God’s agape/love for a very soft hearted and repentant people, with His feelings toward rebellious souls as a whole.
According to Jesus, many souls will suffer eternal death. If he thinks such people are so “great” why would He choose to extinguish their life?
Even the “great” Ninevites would have been destroyed if they had failed to repent and turn from the error of their ways.
I suggest you do the same, while you still have time.
Your comment proves you didn’t even listen to the podcast.
I don’t mind answering objections, but if you don’t show the respect to actually listen to or read what you are objecting to, I’m not going to waste my time.
Wow. Oh, well, good word Jeremy!
Thanks, Bill!