The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-22
Note and CONNECT.

Note ana CONNECT
Time-B. C. 500 about. During the
reign OF Jeroboam II of Israel.
Place-Galilee and NinevCh.
Place in Bible History Kings xiv, %.
Nineveh-The capital of Assyrla CD
1t was situated on the Tigris, near Its
junction with Great Zab and opposite the
modern Mosul, 800 to 200 miles from
Jerusalem. (2) 1t was the largest city OF
the known world, larger even than Baby
lon. Diodorus says il was sixty miles in
circumference, with walls wide enough
for three chariots to be driven abreast.
81 This is confirmed by modern discov-
cries. The site. lost for ages, was discov-
cred in 1871, and the extent and magniti-
cence OF the city proved. There are four
great mounds of buildings, probably
divisions of the city, with parks and cul-
tlvated grounds between, but all sur
rounded by one great wall. (4) The pop
ulation, judging from the fact that were
10000 young children IN il (iv. IL. must
have been at least 100000. 90 Ninevah
was finally destroyed 2U0 years later, b. c.
606.
Circumstances.-Jona having been
ordered by God to preach TO the Nine
vltes, had refused, and left his country
and his prophetic Office, and set sail for
Tarsessus. A storm overlook him he was
thrown into the sea, and swallowed by a
great fish, within which he was kept three
days, till he was thoroughly penitent,
when he was cast ashore. Gods discipline
of his children ends as soon as its work is
accomplished. God loves mercy; he de-
lights in doing good to all, but the best
good is a right character, an obedient
heart, a holy life. When these are at
tanned, or in process of attainment, then
he can add worldly blessings and release.
Helps over Hard Places-(3) City of three
days Journey: j. e. in circumference; the
Jews called 20 miles days journey. a.
Began: started on his tour through the
city, preaching as he went. A DAYS
journey: going hither and thither in the
city for the whole day. This may have
been specimen of other days. Nineveh
shall be overthrown: This was the sum OF
what he said. Probably he told them why,
and urged them to repent. The fact that
he was sent showed that the warning was,
Overthrow unless you turn from your
evil ways" (5) NIneveh relieved God:
believed the message he sent; hoped, too,
in his mercy. There would have been no
repentance had they not believed the
warning. Proclaimed a fast, ETC.: as an
expression of sorrow for sin. and means
of extending and intensifying it. Sack
cloth: coarse, rough, unpleasant cloth,
woven from the coarse hairs OF goat. 6.
For word came unto the king: he nav
not have heard Jonah but the excitement
in the city wasintense, and came to the ears
of the king Is. Cry nightly unto God:
express in words what their outward forms
expressed. Turn every one from bis evil
way; forsake the sins on account of
"
lence: the kind of sin to which the Min
evites was specially addicted. 90 Who
can tell, etc.: they had hope, but were
not sure. (l0.) And God repented: He
changed his purpose of destroying the
city. He was the same God, but they
were not in the same position toward
Him. They had gone out of the shadow
into the sunlight; so that the sun shOne
upon them, but the real change was in
them. And He did it not: Nineveh was
spared. 1t increased in splendor and
glory. But in time the people returned
to their sins, and some 200 years after
this, B. G. COG, Nineveh was so completely
destroyed that even its site was unknown
for more than 1900 years. See Nahum
Iii, 81, 15-l0.)
Jonah's Displeasure and Rebuke.-
Chap. ". Jonah was exceedingly dis
pleased at the success or ms preaching;
even so much that he wished to die.
Why? 81 He seemed to be false prophet
~ The great and dangerous enemy Of his
country was preserved to be menace. In
fact, his country was ravaged and de-
stroyed later on by this same nation.
Compare the feeling of England, rejoicing
at the battle of Waterloo and the over
throw of Napoleons Russian campaign
Then God taught Jonah by the enacted
parable of the gourd probably not a
courd but the castor-oil nlant. called Palma