Topical Encyclopedia The account of the Ninevites fasting in response to Jonah's preaching is a significant event recorded in the Book of Jonah, specifically in Jonah 3:1-10. This narrative highlights the power of repentance and the mercy of God, as demonstrated through the actions of the people of Nineveh.Context and Background Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its wickedness and idolatry. God called Jonah, a Hebrew prophet, to go to Nineveh and proclaim a message of impending judgment due to their evil ways. Initially reluctant and disobedient, Jonah eventually obeyed God's command after a dramatic encounter involving a great fish. The Proclamation and Response Upon entering the city, Jonah began to proclaim, "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned!" (Jonah 3:4). The message was simple yet profound, warning of divine judgment unless there was a change in behavior. The response of the Ninevites was immediate and collective. The people of Nineveh believed God, and a fast was proclaimed. From the greatest to the least, they put on sackcloth, a traditional sign of mourning and repentance. The king of Nineveh himself rose from his throne, removed his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. He issued a decree that neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, should taste anything; they were not to eat or drink water (Jonah 3:5-7). Significance of the Fast The fasting of the Ninevites was an outward expression of their inward repentance. It demonstrated their humility and acknowledgment of their sins before God. The king's decree emphasized the seriousness of their repentance, extending even to the animals, symbolizing a total communal turning away from evil. The fast was accompanied by a call to cry out to God earnestly and to turn from their evil ways and the violence in their hands. The king expressed hope that God might relent and turn from His fierce anger so that they would not perish (Jonah 3:8-9). Divine Response God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked ways, and He relented from the disaster He had threatened. He did not bring upon them the destruction He had planned (Jonah 3:10). This divine response underscores the biblical principle that God is merciful and willing to forgive those who genuinely repent. Theological Implications The fasting of the Ninevites serves as a powerful example of the efficacy of repentance and the grace of God. It illustrates that God's mercy extends beyond the boundaries of Israel to include even the most unlikely recipients, such as the pagan city of Nineveh. The narrative also emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's call, as seen in Jonah's eventual compliance and the resulting transformation of an entire city. In summary, the fasting of the Ninevites is a testament to the transformative power of repentance and the boundless mercy of God, as recorded in the Book of Jonah. Nave's Topical Index Jonah 3:5-10So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. Nave's Topical Index Library Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the ... On Feast Days and Fast Days. Prophecies Fulfilled. Prophecies Fulfilled On the Departure of Flavian, Bishop of Antioch, who was Gone on an ... Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance. Index of Subjects. Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Resources Why did Jesus fast? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Ramadan? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of Lent? | GotQuestions.org Fasting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Fasting by Paul, at the Time of his Conversion Fasting for the Chastening of the Soul Fasting for the Humbling of the Soul Fasting in Babylon, With Prayer for Divine Deliverance and Guidance Fasting in Prayer for Himself and his Adversaries Fasting in Times of Bereavement of Abner's Death Fasting in Times of Bereavement of David, at the Time of Saul's Death Fasting in Times of Bereavement of the People of Jabesh-Gilead, for Saul and his Sons Fasting of Ahab, when Elijah Prophesied the Destruction of Himself and his House Fasting of Darius, when he Put Daniel in the Lions' Den Fasting of Ezra, on Account of the Idolatrous Marriages of the Jews Fasting of Hypocrites: Boasted of, Before God Fasting of Hypocrites: Described Fasting of Hypocrites: Ostentatious Fasting of Hypocrites: Rejected Fasting of Nehemiah, on Account of the Desolation of Jerusalem and the Temple Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Anna Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Apostles Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Christians Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Cornelius Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Daniel Fasting of Saints Exemplified: David Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Disciples of John Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Esther Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Nehemiah Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Paul Fasting of the Consecration of the Elders Fasting of the Disciples, at the Time of the Consecration of Barnabas and Saul Fasting of the Jews, when Jeremiah Prophesied Against Judea and Jerusalem Fasting of the Wicked: Elders of Jezreel Fasting of the Wicked: Pharisees Fasting: Accompanied by Confession of Sin Fasting: Accompanied by Humiliation Fasting: Accompanied by Mourning Fasting: Accompanied by Prayer Fasting: At the Time of his Vision Fasting: During Forty Days: Jesus Fasting: During Forty Days: Moses Fasting: During the Sickness of the Child Born to Him by Bath-Sheba Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Elijah Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Moses Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Our Lord Fasting: Fasting in the Conflict Between the Other Tribes With the Tribe of Benjamin Fasting: Habitual by Cornelius Fasting: Habitual by John's Disciples Fasting: Habitual by Pharisees Fasting: National Exemplified: Israel Fasting: National Exemplified: Men of Jabesh-Gilead Fasting: National Exemplified: Ninevites Fasting: Ninevites, when Jonah Preached to Them Fasting: Not to be Made a Subject of Display Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Afflictions of Others Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Afflictions of the Church Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Approaching Danger Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Judgments of God Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Ordination of Ministers Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Private Afflictions Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Public Calamities Fasting: On Account of the Captivity of the People, With Prayer for Their Deliverance Fasting: Ordination of Ministers Fasting: Prolonged for Forty Days, by Moses Fasting: Prolonged for Three Weeks, by Daniel Fasting: Promises Connected With Fasting: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Fasting: Upon the Death of Saul Fasting: when They Went to Mizpeh for the Ark of the Covenant Fasting: While Interceding in Prayer for his Friends Related Terms |
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