Topical Bible: Obedience: Ninevites

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The account of the Ninevites' obedience is primarily found in the Book of Jonah, a narrative that highlights the themes of repentance and divine mercy. Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, was known for its wickedness, prompting God to send the prophet Jonah to proclaim a message of impending judgment.

Jonah's Commission and Initial Disobedience

God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness: "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me" (Jonah 1:2). However, Jonah initially disobeyed, fleeing in the opposite direction to Tarshish. This act of disobedience led to a series of events, including a great storm and Jonah's eventual entrapment in the belly of a great fish.

The Ninevites' Response to Jonah's Message

After Jonah's deliverance and subsequent obedience to God's command, he went to Nineveh and proclaimed, "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned!" (Jonah 3:4). The response of the Ninevites was immediate and profound. The people of Nineveh believed God, and a fast was proclaimed. From the greatest to the least, they put on sackcloth as a sign of repentance (Jonah 3:5).

The king of Nineveh himself responded with humility and urgency. He rose from his throne, removed his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. He issued a decree for a citywide fast, urging everyone to call urgently on God and turn from their evil ways and violence (Jonah 3:6-8).

Divine Mercy and Forgiveness

The Ninevites' obedience and repentance were met with divine mercy. "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them" (Jonah 3:10). This act of divine forgiveness underscores the biblical principle that God is compassionate and willing to forgive those who genuinely repent and turn from their sinful ways.

Theological Implications

The account of the Ninevites serves as a powerful example of obedience and repentance. It illustrates that even a pagan city, known for its wickedness, can receive God's mercy through genuine repentance. The narrative challenges believers to consider the breadth of God's compassion and the importance of obedience to His commands. The Ninevites' response to Jonah's message is a testament to the transformative power of God's word and the potential for redemption, regardless of past transgressions.

Nave's Topical Index

Jonah 3:5-10
So 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

Threefold Repentance
... passage falls into three parts: Jonah's renewed commission and new obedience
(vs.1 ... evident intention of the narrative is to parallel the Ninevites turning from ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/threefold repentance.htm

Answer to Objections: Signal Instances of Prayer
... out, he abides in obedience to the commands of God, he shall be able according to
the kindness of the Spirit to be a prophet to perishing Ninevites of today ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter viii answer to objections .htm

Philemon i. 17-19
... And from these indeed he salutes him, urging him the more to obedience, and calls ...
If the Ninevites had known it was a matter of threat, they would not have ...
/.../homily iii philemon i 17-19.htm

Matt. Ii. 1, 2
... they were disposed to be candid, they might have the strongest motive for obedience;
if, on ... the same way then as He acted in the case of the Ninevites, when He ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily vi matt ii 1.htm

Babylon.
... They had nearly the same gods as the Ninevites, but thought the special ... Daniel, Ananias,
Azarias, and Misael, gave their first proof of their obedience to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm

Of the Monk's Robe.
... For we ought to give unhesitating allegiance and unquestioning obedience, not to
those ... to have had sackcloth inside them; [643] or that the Ninevites, in order ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ii of the monks.htm

"Nineveh, that Great City"
... the attributes and purposes of the true God as were the Ninevites of old ... of Nineveh
under the preaching of Jonah, and become sanctified through obedience to the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 22 nineveh that great.htm

The True Gnostic Exercises Patience and Self-Restraint.
... he will pray, and faith will restore him to prophesy to the Ninevites; and though ...
of God, and bringing every thought into captivity unto the obedience of Christ ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xx the true gnostic exercises.htm

Of a Private Fast.
... from food, &c., and is the chief end of fasting, as the Ninevites very well ... 1. They
must be done in obedience to God's commandments: not because we think it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of a private fast.htm

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the ...
... hearts had never been pricked (Acts 2:37.) Had not the Ninevites heard Jonah's ... whereas,
indeed, they are seals, as well of our service and obedience unto God ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations on the hindrances which.htm