Jonah 3 ~ God saw what they did

Jonah 3

Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.


6 The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, 8 but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”

10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.





Dan Carlin, Hardcore History, had something to say about the Assyrian Empire, "The cruelty of the Assyrian Empire’s actions were publicized via text, colored wall paintings and carvings in stone. Historian Arthur Ferrill compared them to photos of Nazi concentration camps, and said they had few parallels in history. Artwork showing the skin being cut off of living captives, the impaling of prisoners on stakes, mass forced deportations of conquered peoples, captives being burned or having their tongues torn out and everywhere piles upon piles of human heads are highlighted. One can only imagine what Ashurnasirpal might have done had he possessed video technology."

The Assyrians used stone as the vehicle for their marketing of atrocity.

“I built a pillar over his city gate and I flayed all the chiefs who had revolted, and I covered the pillar with their skin. Some I walled up within the pillar, some I impaled upon the pillar on stakes, and others I bound to stakes round about the pillar…And I cut the limbs of the officers, of the royal officers who had rebelled…Many captives from among them I burned with fire, and many I took as living captives. From some I cut off their noses, their ears, their fingers, of many I put out the eyes. I made one pillar of the living and another of heads, and I bound their heads to tree trunks round the city. Their young men and maidens I burned in the fire.”




Jonah. John the Baptist. One of God's Repeat Situations.

Mark 1

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”—
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”


Jonah sounds too cute to be true. The Hittite Nineveh was just about to lead to the Assyrian Empire. Same geographical area.

Three Empires - Hittites - regular human rights.
Assyrian - incredibly horrible.
Babylonian Chaldean - amazing standards of high human rights.

Assyrian and, next, Babylonian Chaldean were polar opposites of human rights.

The Assyrians had a next-door-neighbor. His name was King Hezekiah of the country Judah. Hezekiah was interested in staying alive after his country men saw the Nation of Israel taken doooooown. Some of the 12 tribes were decimated to oblivion. King Hezekiah decided to follow his father's advice, King Ahaz's, advice to strip the Davidic and Solomon gold off the Temple and become a puppet state to the Next Door Neighbor Assyrians.

Isaiah was his cousin, and Isaiah had 2 kings before Hezekiah ignore all his godly counsel. Suddenly, God provided a time for Isaiah to be listened to. Hezekiah and the people of Judah gave God many, many good gifts until Hezekiah had to ask the Children of God to stop. Instead they dug underground passages for water to withstand Assyrian war and siege.

The 700 BC sign in this  passage reads: 

... the tunnel ... and this is the story of the tunnel while ...

the axes were against each other and while three cubits were left to cut? ... the voice of a man ...

called to his counterpart, (for) there was ZADA in the rock, on the right ... and on the day of the

tunnel (being finished) the stonecutters struck each man towards his counterpart, ax against ax and flowed

water from the source to the pool for 1200 cubits. and 100?

cubits was the height over the head of the stonecutters ...

Zada means prosperous or fortunate.

Hezekiah then turned to Isaiah and decided not to tear the gold off the other Temple Door and not be a client/puppet king. Hezekiah would turn to God Himself.

Puppet Client Kings are not very prosperous for paying Bribes.  Hezekiah for his bravery in standing up the Assyrians and the sons and fathers quarreled - Hezekiah had the strongest reign seen since Solomon.

An Egyptian Bulla asking Hezekiah to continue to sell Egypt Grain.

The reason for the good will towards Hezekiah was Jonah - while the Assyrian Empire was actually the Hittite Empire centered in Nineveh. The people had extreme good will to Judah for their help to avoid being destroyed by God. The people liked Judah, Jerusalem, the Temple, the Jews. They knew God had saved them.

Jonah Profoundly, Profoundly, Profoundly made a path for the the Children of God within a 100 years of Jonah's Efforts. The Story of Jonah is from "The Word of the Lord." Jonah went in impossible odds to do something few would volunteer to do. In fact, Jonah wasn't volunteering. Israel lived because of Jonah.

Abba, Father God,

God of Love. God of Encouragement. We ask for Your Willing Blessings. And thank You for the Blessings You give to us Today.

We ask to be Blessed With Numbers 6, Psalm 30, Psalm 130 and All Your Promises. Lifting our hands and hearts to You.

Blessing our families, Blessing those we Love, caring for dear friends with cancer. We ask You to heal.

Bless the Cajun Navy and all of Louisiana and Mississippi to recover and thrive from this Hurricane.

Blessing our communities becoming the Nations seeking Jesus.

We pray for more Heaven on earth with all of Your Beloved Children around the world.

In Jesus we have our Hope. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! † 

Psalm 30 ~ O Lord, and be merciful to me!

Psalm 30

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.

6 As for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I shall never be moved.”
7 By your favor, O Lord,
you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.

8 To you, O Lord, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
9 “What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
O Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

The Scriptures are Living and Active.

History, according to Moses and Jeremiah - not so much about Accuracy. And sometimes not factual for ego aggrandizing. Moses and Jeremiah said Judah would claim slavery in Egypt was all very, terribly inaccurate.  And indeed this happened about the time of Nebuchadnezzar II.

Scripture is about conflict, human frailty, harsh circumstance, difficult life, poor choices and enemies.
And ... God's thoughts on this.

Jesus was known to include many, many, many, many, many, many ninnies. Take for example... MARY. I'm positive Mary was simply thrilled to have it record she 'left hastily' to see Elizabeth. Mary was so comfortable with Jesus and His Talk, she sent all the sons in to get him home - Quickly.

David named his son after Nathan the prophet. I'm SURE, David hoped Chronicles would include Nathan, lambs, Bathsheba, war, Baths and babies. And Ziklag - oh please tell all the Nation, the world about David's band of thugs, running mercenary raids, his family getting kidnapped, the thug army wanted to kill David for their families. Many of the thugs wanted the women and children gone for convenience and probably to start again. So David was in fine company. Fit for applying for King.


So who was Mary's enemy? Public disharmony. She might have faced this before.

Who was David's enemy? Public image. Political dislike. Killer kings and kidnappers. Bad parenting.

Who was Abraham's enemy? He had a few local kings and battles for life and death. Sarah was kidnapped - Politically. All Abraham wanted to do was - help God to fulfill His Plan... What could go wrong?




Winston Churchill was known to say upon occasion, "Many, many, many, many, many, many Ninnies." Why would God Himself have chosen Ninnies? Isaac was going to "unbless" one of his own sons and Abraham's Grandson. Not like Jacob who included even more, his two grandsons by Joseph. Interesting - he was going to bless more - in the face of lying and deceitful sons - Jacob was going to bless more, but being a "Ninny" who married anyone and over-populated the place - Jacob refused Joseph to get the birth order right of only two grandsons.

God is Busy. Busy interweaving all things for Good for those who Love the Lord and Work according to His Purpose.

Why?

Jesus, it is written, knew not to allow Himself to the hands of men.

Jesus is the only One who was not a ninny.

Proverbs 3

14 I have counsel and sound wisdom;

I have insight; I have strength.

15 By me kings reign,

and rulers decree what is just;

16 by me princes rule,

and nobles, all who govern justly.a

17 I love those who love me,

and those who seek me diligently find me.

18 Riches and honor are with me,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,

and my yield than choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness,

in the paths of justice,

21 granting an inheritance to those who love me,

and filling their treasuries.

Why would God Himself the Almighty have men, Disciples, who constantly questioned God and Jesus and not really asking Jesus? Worriers! Why didn't God chose Warriors?

God works with all who have fallen and fall short of the Glory of God.

Why not begin and end the Scriptures around the four Gospels?

Proverbs 8

30 Then I was beside him, like a master workman,

and I was daily ise delight,

rejoicing before him always,

31 rejoicing in his inhabited world

and delighting in the children of man.

Jesus has said we are flowers of the field. Very transitory. And then Jesus spoke of seeds. What will we do with this garden?

Jesus said we were dust. We are dust ... For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone. Jesus said He would breathe on dust and dry bones, to find Life. Dust will not be creating Heaven. We need God's Word.

It is our lives to work to the Will of God and His Good Pleasure. Jesus said better a living dog than a dead lion. We are the Potter's work. We are meant to be transitory. We are meant to ask questions. We are meant to fail and think and try and believe.

The Prodigal's Father ran to His Son. We are meant to be temporary as Creation Waits for the Revealing of the sons of mankind. Jesus said Life is to reveal Heart.

Abba, Father God,

God of Love. God of Encouragement. We ask for Your Willing Blessings.

We ask to be Blessed With Numbers 6, Psalm 30, Psalm 130 and All Your Promises.
Lifting our hands and hearts to You.

Blessing our families, Blessing those we Love, caring for dear friends with cancer. We ask You to heal.

Bless the Cajun Navy and all of Louisiana and Mississippi to recover and thrive from this Hurricane.

Blessing our communities becoming the Nations seeking Jesus.

We pray for more Heaven on earth with all of Your Beloved Children around the world.

In Jesus we have our Hope. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! † 

Romans 10 ~ faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ

Papyrus 46 - 104 pages of Scriptures dating to First or Second Century

This True.
We have a Historical Trail.

Papyrus 46 of Philippians is something to remember. Critics say the New Testament was created in the Roman Empire's need to create a document of Christ.

Papyrus 46 dates to the first or second century and has written history of AD 110 to 140 by Polycarp.Polycarp had a
role to authenticate orthodox teachings through his connection with the Apostle John: "a high value was attached to the witness Polycarp could give as to the genuine tradition of old apostolic doctrine." Polycarp was a disciple of the beloved disciple John on Patmos. The Harris fragments tell of this connection claiming John was engaged in a battle with the Jews over Religious Law and the Divinity of Jesus, Gnostics. And this was linking John and the Martyrdom of Polycarp. The text of the Harris Fragments on Polycarp and John raises discussions on martyrdom and apostolicity, the earliest history of the important Christian communities.


We have not only Bishop Papias. And in the generation after Polycarp, then Irenaeus' letter below. He was the Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul. The three bishops form a historical chain. Witnessing to John's old age and vibrant struggle.

Romans 10


Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 

4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”

6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”

19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,

“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”

20 And Isaiah boldly says,

“I was found by those who did not seek me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”

21 But concerning Israel he says,

“All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

We pray knowing God hears us! We know what we know what we know. To see Jesus sitting in a today situation is inspiring, reassuring, comforting and peaceful.


The Bible assures us Jesus sat comfortably being with people, hearing them, teaching and Loving.

Not only the Pharisees and Sadducees sought to influence Jesus.

Mark 10
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

John went on to recover from this and said this about Jesus:

John 21
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.


And in all the Books of the Bible - Covering Millenniums  - God never once said to any of His Children - Thank you for judging one of the children. I really needed your help.

Romans 11:34
"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"


My grandmother Bit had been married to an Episcopal priest. She had always given love and a sympathetic ear. She never returned my father's cold shoulder to her with unkindness. She had always spoken well of my grandfather who died before I was born. Who had the nickname of Pos - for playing Possum from his salad days. I never heard her cut someone else down. She told me story after story of her childhood. She spoke well of her grandmothers who lived with them as children. She loved to tell of her uncle. She spoke well of her neighbors. She was thrilled my step-grandfather's parish accepted her so easily. She drank way too much. Grandmother Bit made sure we had Christmas money to spend for gift giving. We had summer camp and horse back riding lessons from my grandmother. Vacations. Grandmother provided my college and my car.

Three of her four great-grandchildren are named for Bit and because of her. And the day came 1986 that I knew to expect - the last week of her life - "come to the nursing home"  where cancer had just fallen that week. I had just been telling Nadine about my grandmother when the intercom called me to the phone to say - come now - come swiftly. I went back to Nadine and couldn't even speak. My mouth opened and closed. And finally I pointed - - - Nadine said she understood - go fast.

My daddy and I sat for about three hours watching my very southern Grandmother in a receiving line we could not see and names of people gone on Home. Grandmother adored all the people she shook double hands with. And after she greeted each person and had gracious conversation with them - Grandmother would look at the ceiling and say, "I'm ready to come home, Father. Today?"

She reached a lady named Mary and had about a four or five minute conversation with Mary. And my father's mouth fell to his chest. I asked him why. He explained Mary had died at age 42. She had been their good friend and neighbor in the late 1940s. Their next door neighbor. Mary knew Grandmother had always loved Mary's house better than her own house. Mary asked Grandmother to buy her house and live there with Mary's love. I asked my dad why he looked so shocked. He said Mary's children had been older - and here was Mary telling Grandmother about her children's marriages - their grandchildren and great-grandchildren their college educations, marital status and jobs.

I didn't know what to reply. So my father said - the names are all right of the children - but the rest of the grandchildren were unborn in the 1940s and this was just so detailed for someone in a semi-comatose-delirium state.

I promise you, I had never seen my father so amazed and stunned.

"Father, today, today may I come home?"

Grandmother Bit rarely spoke of her deep and abiding faith. She lived loving her Father God and expecting His promises to her to be fulfilled. I'm happy to say, of the several dreams I've had of visiting with my Grandmother in Heaven, my life has expanded - the narrow path on the way where I know Jesus calls us Home to live. The fruit of those decades long dreams is as vivid today as the time they were envisioned. I know we go Home to Jesus Christ the Lord.

Abba,

Your Willing Blessings are like Manna. We thank You for Your Blessings.

We ask for more Heaven on earth. For ourselves and cares. For those we love. For the people You have given us. For our Nation in Trusting You. The Nations blessed in Jesus Christ. And all of the earth - Your children surrounding Your Creation in prayer.

For our own prayer requests of Peace, healing and our friend to be healed of cancer.

In Jesus we pray. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †