Useful Bible Studies > Jonah Commentary > chapter 3
God had promised to give Jonah a message for the people in Nineveh (3:2). So, it may be that Jonah went all the way to Nineveh without knowledge of that message. Perhaps Jonah only received that message when he opened his mouth to speak it (compare Mark 13:11). However, Jonah already knew the reason for that message: the wicked behaviour of Nineveh’s people (1:2). The message that God sent Jonah to declare on the streets of Nineveh was about God’s judgment. God had made his judgment against Nineveh’s people – and Jonah, as God’s servant, had to declare it.
God’s judgment is already against all people because of their evil deeds (Romans 1:18). Usually God delays the punishment so that people have an opportunity to turn to him (2 Peter 3:9). In that way, God often permits people to live for the whole of their natural lives on earth before his judgment comes (Hebrews 9:27). However, sometimes their evil deeds are so severe that he will not wait. He carries out his judgment at once, to stop their evil behaviour (Genesis 19:1-29).
The message for the people in Nineveh was that God’s judgment against them would happen soon. Only 40 days remained until God carried out that judgment. The message also said that God’s judgment would be a complete judgment. The punishment against the inhabitants of Nineveh would destroy the whole of their great city. Nothing would remain. None of them could expect to remain alive.
In Genesis chapter 19, God ordered a similar punishment against Sodom. Fire destroyed that city. However, perhaps God would send a flood of water to destroy Nineveh. That was how Babylon’s army destroyed that city, long after the time of Jonah.
Next part: Nineveh's people believe God's message (Jonah 3:5)
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