Why did God love Nineveh despite so many reasons not to?
Despite their wickedness, the people of Nineveh were capable of repentance and turning away from their sins. God recognized this potential for good, and he chose to show them love and mercy in the hope that they would turn away from their wickedness and follow him.
The city of Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire, and it was known for its cruelty and violence. Despite this, God chose to show love and mercy to the people of Nineveh. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why God loved Nineveh despite the city's many faults.
The Wickedness of Nineveh
Nineveh was a city that was known for its wickedness and cruelty. The Assyrians were notorious for their brutal treatment of their enemies, and they often engaged in acts of violence and cruelty that were beyond comprehension. Some of the atrocities committed by the Assyrians included impaling their enemies on stakes, flaying them alive, and burning them alive.
The prophet Nahum described Nineveh as a city that was "full of lies, robbery, and violence" (Nahum 3:1). He also described the city as being "a pool of blood" (Nahum 3:3). Given the wickedness of Nineveh, it would be easy to assume that God would have no love for the city.
God's Love for Nineveh
Despite the wickedness of Nineveh, God chose to show love and mercy to the city. The book of Jonah tells the story of how God sent the prophet Jonah to preach to the people of Nineveh. Jonah initially refused to go to Nineveh, but he eventually relented and preached a message of repentance to the people.
To Jonah's surprise, the people of Nineveh responded to his message and repented of their sins. The king of Nineveh declared a fast, and he commanded the people to turn away from their wickedness and violence. When God saw the repentance of the people of Nineveh, he chose to spare the city from destruction.
The Reasons for God's Love
There are several reasons why God chose to love Nineveh despite the city's many faults. First, God is a God of love and mercy. He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Exodus 34:6). Even when people are wicked and sinful, God is willing to show them love and mercy if they turn to him in repentance.
Second, God saw the potential for good in the people of Nineveh. Despite their wickedness, the people of Nineveh were capable of repentance and turning away from their sins. God recognized this potential for good, and he chose to show them love and mercy in the hope that they would turn away from their wickedness and follow him.
Third, God's love for Nineveh was a reflection of his concern for all people. God loves all people, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, or background. He wants all people to turn away from their sins and follow him, and he is willing to show love and mercy to all people, even those who seem the most wicked and unrepentant.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the story of Nineveh, let us remember that God's love is available to all people, regardless of their background or past actions.