jonah | Paul the Poke

Archive for jonah

Fisherman Inhaled By Whale

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Trend Update with tags fish, humpback whale, Jesus Christ, jonah, Massachusetts, Michael Packard, Provincetown, sign of Jonah, three days three nights on June 12, 2021 by paulthepoke

Jonah 2:10 And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

Yes, the fish “qo” in the Hebrew or spued or vomited out Jonah. Or as stated in the King James Version, “vomiteth“…

Provincetown, Massachusetts: A local lobster fisherman, Michael Packard, was gulped by a humpback whale while collecting lobsters on a routine dive.

As Packard stated, “(I) felt a huge bump and everything went dark. I realized, oh my God, I’m in a whale’s mouth and he’s trying to swallow me. And I thought to myself OK, this is it. I’m finally, I’m gonna die.

“I just got thrown in the air and landed in the water. I was free and I just floated there. I couldn’t believe… I’m here to tell it.”

May be an image of 1 person, standing and hospital

Packard escaped with only a few bruises and no broken bones. He estimates he was inside of the whale’s mouth for about 30 seconds. He was released from the hospital on the same day.

Packard was rescued by his ship mate Josiah Mayo who witnessed the whale spitting out his captain.

Scientific experts have weighed in on the incident. It is ridiculously rare for a human to be eaten by a whale. Peter Corkeron, a senior scientist at the New England Aquarium says it is a 1 in a 1,000,000,000,000 (trillion) proposition.

Well, we can now report of at least 3 incidents…

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9678057/Lobster-diver-injured-caught-whales-mouth.html

A Fishy Fable???

Jesus confirms the reality of a fish swallowing a man whole and living to tell about it. As far as Christ is concerned, this is a historical fact.

Matthew 12:39-40 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

And the critic asks, “How can a man survive three days and three nights inside of a fish or whale?”

God provides. There was plenty of provision and chum inside the stomach of the creature. It may not have been five star dining, but there was likely piles of food for Jonah as well as the host fish or whale.

To the critic, deal with it. It happened…

Jonah 1:17 And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Leave a comment »

A Fishy Fable???

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Fake News???, Trend Update with tags fish, ISIS, jonah, whale on March 13, 2019 by paulthepoke

Jonah 1:17 And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 2:10 And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

So you think Jonah is a little fairy tale or story???

Matthew 12:40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

For more recent news about the ancient Assyrian Empire, Nineveh, and Jonah rediscovered in current events, click on the links below. God can use even ISIS…

https://paulthepoke.com/2017/03/01/trend-update-king-sennacherib-rediscovered-march-2017/

https://paulthepoke.com/2014/07/16/trend-update-assyrian-empireninevehjonah-july-2014/

https://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/14/trend-update-assyrian-empireninevehjonah-january-2015/

1 Comment »

Trend Update: ISIS Squeezed in the Middle East, June 2017

Posted in Euphrates River, Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Aleppo, Arpad, Daesh, Euphrates Dam, Euphrates Wrath, Iraq, ISIL, ISIS, Jeremiah 49, jonah, Nahum, Raqqa, SAA, SDF, Syria, Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Democratic Forces, Tabqa Dam, Tiger Forces on June 3, 2017 by paulthepoke

June 2017: This is the pattern that has been repeatedly observed in the Middle East. ISIS has been surrounded and removed from a geographic area or location. The big picture shows ISIS surrounded on all sides in Iraq and Syria.

We will start in Aleppo, Syria and move east.

Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame…

Per Ellicott’s Commentary, the modern day location of Arpad is approximately 14 miles north of Aleppo, Syria. This is where the fighting started, north of modern day Aleppo or what is ancient Arpad. ISIS has been pushed out of the city of Aleppo to the east. The last ISIS controlled area is in Maskanah. Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) elite Tiger Forces have surrounded ISIS on the north and west. ISIS is covered by Lake Assad on the east.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-makes-significant-progress-near-last-isis-stronghold-east-aleppo-map-update/

ISIS was surrounded and removed from the Euphrates/Tabqa Dam east of Aleppo on the Euphrates River. The link below provides the recent history of the ISIS capture of the Euphrates/Tabqa Dam and their removal.

https://paulthepoke.com/category/euphrates-river/

From the Euphrates/Tabqa Dam, Operation Euphrates Wrath is moving east down river about 30 miles to Raqqa, Syria. Raqqa is the city ISIS has claimed as its capital. Leaflets from US and Kurdish forces have been dropped in Raqqa, Syria since April 2017 telling ISIS to surrender.

“The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have given instructions to the citizens of Raqqa to vacate,” Colonel Ryan Dillon, a U.S. military spokesman located in Baghdad. Per Colonel Dillon, 200,000 people have taken the warning seriously and left Raqqa. Citizens have gone to refugee tent camps.

Keep in mind, Raqqa is located on the north side of the Euphrates River. Bridges into Raqqa from the south over the Euphrates have been taken out. “The SDF is poised around Raqqa. They are within 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the north and the east, and are about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the city to the west,” Colonel Ryan Dillon.

“The sh*t is about to go down in Raqqa. I would expect to see the assault begin in the coming days.” -anonymous Pentagon official

The United States has begun giving small arms and anti-tank weapons to Kurdish forces.

ISIS is surrounded west of Mosul, Iraq in Tal Afar.

ISIS is surrounded southeast of Mosul, Iraq near Kirkuk where oil fields are located.

ISIS is all but done in western Mosul, Iraq or what is ancient Nineveh. See the prophets Jonah and Nahum for details regarding ancient Nineveh. See the link below regarding the recent history of ancient Nineveh or modern day Mosul, Iraq.

https://paulthepoke.com/category/mosulnineveh/

There are an estimated 1,000 ISIS jihadi left in Mosul. They are limited to approximately 6 square miles. ISIS occupies three territories including the old city. Up to 150,000 civilians also live in these areas. And there is nowhere to go.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/the-s-t-is-about-to-go-down-in-raqqa-pentagon-source-says/article/2624695

The donut hole is shrinking all across the Middle East and war rages on for now…

Leave a comment »

Trend Update: King Sennacherib Rediscovered, March 2017

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags 2 Chronicles 32, 2 Kings 19, Assyria, Esarhaddon, Iraq, Isaiah 37, ISIS, jonah, Sennacherib, Tigris River on March 1, 2017 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 37:37-38 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and returned home and lived at Nineveh. It came about as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons killed him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place.

Trend Update: Iraqi Forces Control East Mosul, January 2017

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Iraq, ISIS, jonah, Mosul Dam, Mosul Offensive, Nahum, Tigris River on January 18, 2017 by paulthepoke

January 18, 2017: The Iraqi Counter Terrorism Commander claims the Iraqi government is in control of Mosul east of the Tigris River. It has been three months since the beginning of the Mosul Offensive to free ancient Nineveh from ISIS. The Iraqi army has claimed liberation for the eastern side of the city.

The United Nations estimates 125,000 people have left the area due to the war. However, the number of casualties has not been stated.

There are five bridges that join the two sides of Mosul. Iraqi government forces claim to be in control of all of the bridges. ISIS remains in complete control of the west side of the city. The next step in the conflict will be to eradicate ISIS from all of ancient Nineveh/Mosul. The west side of Mosul has long been considered the more difficult challenge.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/key-dates-battle-mosul-143203614.html

Nahum 3:1 Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage; her prey never departs.

Nahum 3:3 Horsemen charging, swords flashing, spears gleaming, many slain, a mass of corpses, and countless dead bodies. They stumble over the dead bodies!

Chapter 3 of Nahum describes a war torn Nineveh. The war is taking its toll on the city. Read the description from a citizen of the city. A health care worker was interviewed and the following excerpts are noted.

“The bodies of ISIS fighters are still lying in the streets and no-one has moved them. The rotting bodies could start an outbreak of disease.

“There is no power. No water. People are drinking from the wells here. This water is unsafe. The well water is contaminated with metals and acids.

“There are infectious diseases, skin diseases caused by dirty water. Children are not washing. A child should be clean so they can be healthy. We want them to be healthy. Families are doing what they can.

“But they’re getting skin diseases from polluted water, the environment and food. People have well water reaching their houses and children play near the water.

“They saw killings and beheadings on what ISIS call their ‘broadcasts’…It drained children emotionally.”

Caution, this link has very graphic pictures.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2646413/iraqi-army-finally-retakes-eastern-mosul-from-isis-but-the-rotting-corpses-of-terror-fanatics-littering-the-streets-threaten-local-kids-with-grisly-diseases-and-infections/

Nahum 2:9 Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! For there is no limit to the treasure, wealth from every kind of desirable object.

This is exactly what ISIS has done to the ancient city of Nineveh from the time they took possession in 2014.

ISIS completely obliterated the shrine of the prophet Jonah in 2014. News agencies are now able to report on the destruction created by ISIS.

“They have stolen every artifact they could transport out of Iraq to make some (money) and have destroyed whatever they couldn’t take,” stated Zuhair al-Jbouri of the National Mobilization Forces.

http://www.voanews.com/a/iraqi-forces-say-is-destroyed-historic-tomb-of-jonah-in-mosul/3681118.html

For pictures and video, click on the link from Kurdistan 24 News.

http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/9dd9acc1-7200-4c61-b7d5-c43bdbb2e25c/VIDEO–The-ruined-shrine-of-Prophet-Jonah-in-Mosul

And don’t forget, a failing Mosul Dam sits 30-40 miles north of ancient Nineveh.

Nahum 2:6 The gates of the rivers are opened and the palace is dissolved.

https://paulthepoke.com/category/mosulnineveh/

Leave a comment »

Trend Update: Turkey Tanks on Iraqi Border, November 2016

Posted in Ezekiel 38-39, Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Beth Togarmah, Gomer, Iran Revolutionary Guard, Iraq, ISIS, jonah, Meshech, Mosul, Mosul Dam, Nahum, Nineveh, President Erdogan, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Shiites, Silopi, Sunni, Tigris River, Tubal, Turkey on November 2, 2016 by paulthepoke

November 1, 2016: Turkey is moving military equipment to the Iraqi border. President Erdogan has again pursued a more aggressive role. Tanks and armored vehicles have been deployed to the border town of Silopi, Turkey. Pictures of the convoy have been released by the Turkish military. The defense minister states they will cross into Iraq if necessary without Iraq’s consent. Erdogan has not shown himself to bluff.

In response, the Iraqi government has sent out a tweet. In the event of a Turkey invasion, the tweet states Turkey will face the full force of the Iraqi army. Iraq will defend its land from a Turk invasion.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, “We’re not after war, but if Turkey wants war, we are ready for it.”

Welcome to warfare in the 21^st century.

https://twitter.com/pmu_english/status/793450970554339329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Iraq has ties and support of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. A Turkish invasion from the north could draw Iran into the conflict from the east.

President Erdogan believes Mosul, Iraq or ancient Nineveh belongs to the Turks. Erdogan and Turkey are Sunni Muslims. The Iraqi liberating forces in and around Mosul, Iraq are Shiite. Turkey feels obligated to help their Sunni brothers in Mosul.

Back on October 18, 2016: Turkey has been providing air support in the Mosul Offensive against ISIS. “Our air forces took part in the coalition forces’ air operations in Mosul,” Turkey Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

“Military advisors” from Turkey have been on the ground near Mosul, Iraq.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ankara-joins-air-operation-take-mosul-iraqis-protest-against-turkish-role-1106417056

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-11-01/iraq-threatens-turkey-war-after-erdogan-deploys-tanks-iraqi-border

All of this is occurring as Iraqi Special Forces and troops are entering Mosul to eradicate ISIS. Elite Iraqi troops are on the east side of the Mosul city limits. This is when the door to door fighting in neighborhoods begins. Casualties are expected to increase.

The southern front of the operation remains approximately 20 miles from the city.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/11/01/iraqi-forces-descend-on-eastern-outskirts-mosul-encounter-isis-missiles.html

The prophet Nahum lays out the prophecy concerning the destruction of ancient Nineveh or what is 21^st century Mosul, Iraq. Destruction comes with a flood. The key verses are stated below.

Nahum 1:8 But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

Nahum 2:6 The gates of the rivers are opened and the palace is dissolved.

The book was written around 660 BC. Nineveh is the city and people in focus in the Book of Jonah. Nineveh was once the largest city in the known world. Today in the early 21^st century it is home to 1.3 to 1.5 million people per Wikipedia and the United Nations.

The Tigris River valley below the Mosul Dam is home to approximately 150 million people.

https://paulthepoke.com/2016/03/10/trend-update-ninevehmosul-dam-march-2016/

For Scripture linking Meshech, Tubal, Beth Togarmah, and Gomer to modern day Turkey.

https://paulthepoke.com/2015/12/09/trend-update-russia-magogisrael-ezekiel-38-39-december-9-2015/

2 Comments »

Trend Update: All Roads Lead to Mosul, October 2016

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Assyrian Empire, Genesis 10, Iraq, ISIS, jonah, Kurds, Mosul Offensive, Nimrod on October 17, 2016 by paulthepoke

Genesis 10:11 From that land he went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah…

That “he” is Nimrod. He is the one who built the ancient city of Nineveh. The city was built approximately 4,000 years ago. Nineveh is the city furthest north of those built by Nimrod. Nineveh is the city and people in focus in the Book of Jonah. Nineveh was once the largest city in the known world.

Historically, Nineveh is the capital of the Assyrian Empire.

Nineveh is located in modern day Mosul, Iraq. The modern day region maintains it ties to the past. Mosul is located in the province of Nineveh.

For links to multiple articles regarding ancient Nineveh/modern day Mosul, Iraq…

https://paulthepoke.com/category/mosulnineveh/

October 17, 2016: The Iraqi government has announced the beginning of the Mosul Offensive to liberate the city of ISIS.

In today’s world, there are many different news sources. With advancements in technology, Twitter and Periscope are providing a view from the front lines of the conflict. Participants in the battle are issuing their own version of what is happening in the area. If interested, key word search #MosulOffensive on Twitter or Periscope. Be ready, it is raw.

Most of the activity is taking place on the highways and villages leading towards Mosul. Heavy fighting appears to be outside of the city at this time.

The following information is from an ISIS twitter stream. “Martyrdom Operations” have been completed south of Mosul in Qayyara. The location is about 35 miles south of Mosul. Translation for “Martyrdom Operation” is suicide mission. Video of a Martyrdom Operations can be found on Twitter and YouTube.

Military operations have been reported east of Mosul.

Kurdish forces are reported to be on the outskirts of southeast Mosul in Al Kuwayr. Villages between Erbil, Iraq and Mosul have been cleared of ISIS.

http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/peshmerga-forces-now-7kms-from-mosul-military-sources/666688

Leave a comment »

Trend Update: Mosul Offensive Begins? October 2016

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Hezbollah, Iran, Iraq, ISIS, jonah, Kurds, Mosul Dam, Mosul Offensive, Nahum, Russia, Tigris River, Turkey on October 15, 2016 by paulthepoke

Nahum 2:4 The chariots race madly in the streets, they rush wildly in the squares, their appearance is like torches, they dash to and fro like lightning flashes.

Nahum lays out the prophecy concerning the destruction of Nineveh. The book was written around 660 BC. What does this have to do with anything? Mosul, Iraq is the modern day town of ancient Nineveh. As of early October 2016, Mosul is controlled by ISIS.

Nineveh is the city and people in focus in the Book of Jonah. Nineveh was once the largest city in the known world. Today in the early 21^st century it is home to 1.3 million people (Wikipedia).

As of October 15, 2016, the Mosul Offensive to retake Mosul from ISIS apparently has begun. Pictures and tweets are emerging on the internet (search Mosul Offensive on Twitter). Reports of United States air strikes are noted.

The following groups have military personnel in the immediate area of Mosul, Iraq. The list includes at least the following: Kurdish Peshmerga, Turkey, Russia, Iraq, United States, ISIS, Iran, and Hezbollah. How in the world is anyone going to determine the battle lines? Political alliances and religious affiliations are clearly blurred. Obviously, there are concerns of the fighting escalating and spreading.

God is not messing around in His description. Nahum 3:5-6 “Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of hosts, “And I will lift up your skirts over your face, and show to the nations your nakedness and to the kingdoms your disgrace. I will throw filth on you and make you vile, and set you up as a spectacle.” The translation is politically correct. In other words…I will strip you completely naked. I will throw crap on you and put you on a pedestal for all the world to see.

Keep in mind, Mosul is on the Tigris River.

Nahum 1:8 But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

Nahum 2:6 The gates of the rivers are opened and the palace is dissolved.

Thirty-five (35) miles north of Mosul is the Mosul Dam. The Mosul Dam was built by Saddam Hussein in 1986 on soluble gypsum. The foundation of the dam is in a constant state of repair and maintenance. This dam has been in serious trouble since March 2016.

An estimated 45-70 foot wall of water could flood the river valley if the dam breaks. This could potentially kill up to 150 million people and displace millions more per estimates.

The city of Mosul could be underwater within four hours of a dam break. Within 77 hours, Baghdad could be targeted by flood waters.

https://paulthepoke.com/2016/03/10/trend-update-ninevehmosul-dam-march-2016/

Encouragement is offered to read the Book of Nahum. The prophet is a short read of three chapters and will only take 5-10 minutes. We all have the time.

The short version of the story is this. There will be war, fighting, significant destruction, and massive death. Nahum 3:3 Horsemen charging, swords flashing, spears gleaming, many slain, a mass of corpses, and countless dead bodies. They stumble over the dead bodies!

In the end, Mosul/Nineveh will be washed away with a massive flood.

It is October 15, 2016…

Leave a comment »

Trend Update: Nineveh/Mosul Dam, March 2016

Posted in Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Assyrian Empire, Genesis 8, Iraq, ISIS, jonah, Mosul Dam, Nimrod, Nineveh, Tigris River on March 10, 2016 by paulthepoke

Genesis 10:8-12 Now Cush became the father of Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.” The beginning of his kingdom was Babel and Erech and Accad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. From that land he went forth into Assyria, and built Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.

This is the city planning resume of Nimrod. He built cities along the Tigris River over 4,000 years ago. The city furthest south was Babylon (30 miles south of Baghdad). The city furthest north was Nineveh or modern day Mosul, Iraq (220 miles north of Baghdad). All of this could be destroyed in less than a week if the Mosul Dam breaks.

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/03/11/trend-update-assyrian-empirenimrod-march-2015/

Nineveh is the city and people in focus in the Book of Jonah. Nineveh was once the largest city in the known world. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn them of pending judgment. The Assyrian people ultimately listened to Jonah and changed their attitude and actions towards God and others.

The modern day region maintains it ties to the past. Mosul is located in the province of Ninevah (ABC News). Nineveh is located in modern day Mosul, Iraq. ISIS destroyed the tomb of Jonah the prophet in Mosul.

http://paulthepoke.com/2014/07/16/trend-update-assyrian-empireninevehjonah-july-2014/

http://paulthepoke.com/2015/01/14/trend-update-assyrian-empireninevehjonah-january-2015/

The Mosul Dam was built by Saddam Hussein in 1986 on soluble gypsum. Translation, the dam is built on a shifting, poor foundation. The Mosul dam is located 35 miles north of Mosul, Iraq. ISIS previously managed to take control of the Mosul Dam in June 2014. Currently, the Mosul Dam is managed by the Kurdish peshmerga. The issue is ISIS took the maintenance equipment and supplies. And the Kurds are busy fighting back ISIS to maintain control of the dam. As of March 2016, the dam is in serious trouble.

This dam manages the Tigris River in Iraq. An estimated 45-70 foot wall of water could flood the river valley if the dam breaks. This could potentially kill up to 150 million people and displace millions more per estimates.

The city of Mosul could be underwater within four hours of a dam break. Within 77 hours, Baghdad could be targeted.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2016/mar/10/the-mosul-dam-is-crumbling-if-it-bursts-it-would-be-a-disaster-on-a-biblical-scale

Archaeological and cultural sites along the Tigris River could be flushed and destroyed.

http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/02/29/mosul-dam-breach-karadsheh-lklv.cnn

Fear not, the Iraqi government has a plan…

3 Comments »

Trend Update: Assyrian Empire/Nineveh/Jonah, January 2015

Posted in Gospel, Mosul/Nineveh, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Assyrian Empire, burial, death, dove, fish, Genesis 18, Gospel, Iraq, ISIS, Jesus Christ, jonah, Luke 3, Mosul, Nineveh, Prophecy, Resurrection, whale on January 14, 2015 by paulthepoke

Jonah 3:4 Then Jonah began to go through the city one day’s walk; and he cried out and said, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”

Jonah 4:11 “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”

Blowing up the Prophet Jonah’s tomb is not enough for ISIS. They are now proclaiming they are going to blow up the walls of the ancient city Nineveh. The 7.5 mile (one day’s walk) brick wall and rampart surrounds what used to be the ancient city of Nineveh. The majority of the wall is still present and standing. ISIS states the destruction of the wall is necessary because the cultural museum of Nineveh has “distorted” the view of Islam. Works of art and archeology artifacts have been stolen by ISIS from the museum. Nineveh is effectively modern day Mosul, Iraq.

Assyrians claim to be Iraq’s original indigenous people. Their history goes back to 4,750BC. Assyrians are approximately 95% of the country’s Christian population. Close to 200,000 Christians were forced to leave their homes around the Nineveh plain during the summer of 2014 due to ISIS. They are now refugees in the Dohuk and Erbil regions of northern Iraq that border Turkey and Iran. The region is also known as Kurdistan.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2900530/ISIS-plan-destroy-walls-Nineveh-capital-Assyrian-Empire-one-important-archaeological-sites-Iraq.html

http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/27400/isis-planning-to-destroy-ancient-walls-of-nineveh-middle-east/#gmIbPcIweWOJXItV.99

The Book of Jonah is dated roughly in the first half of the eighth century BC. The prophet Jonah travelled to the brutally violent people of Nineveh with a message of judgment if their ways were not changed. For intimidation purposes, the Assyrians would tie people to the stake and filet them. The people of Jonah’s day responded to the message of Jehovah. God cared for Gentiles in the Old Testament too; this is not a New Testament phenomenon.

…there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?” One can tell by the pictures in the articles referenced, the Assyrians were skilled architects, designers, and laborers who built a massive brick wall with towers. Historically, these people were barbaric but they were not stupid. I take it those who do not know the difference between their right and left hands were children. Animals were included in the context of the ignorant. God does not judge the innocent bystanders with guilt by association. Remember the conversation between the Lord and Abraham in Genesis 18. God swore to Abraham He would spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there were righteous people remaining in the city. God’s messengers removed the righteous, Lot and family. We know the rest of that story.

The Holy Spirit, like a dove of peace, descends on sinners offering a message of mercy and undeserving forgiveness. Just believe in the sign of Jonah: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 12:39-41).