Sodom/Nineveh/United States

Nineveh was possibly the oldest and most populated city of the Assyrian Empire. This is the city in which God called Jonah to deliver a message of Judgment. The city was so large according to scripture it would take three days just to see it all. God had sent Jonah with a warning that he would destroy their city in 40 days as he has witnessed their wickedness.

This is very similar to the language used for Sodom, thus they are somewhat inter connected. The timing of this event is during the reign of Jeroboam II (786–746 BC). The sins of Nineveh were never detailed in the Book of Jonah. We can draw reference to them as we reference Sodom’s sin in Ezekiel 16:48-50 48 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, Sodom and her daughters were never as wicked as you and your daughters. 49 Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. 50 She was proud and committed detestable sins, so I wiped her out, as you have seen.

Thomas M. Bolin writes, “Outside of the Bible, Nineveh was known for having been a great, lawless, and ruined city. Greek literary giants like Herodotus and Aristotle catalog its sinfulness, describing Sardanapalus, its legendary last king, in unflattering (and problematic) terms. Diodorus of Sicily (first century B.C.E) describes Sardanapalus’ violations of the rigid gender boundaries of Greco-Roman antiquity.”

Like Sodom, Nineveh most assuredly had forgotten God. Their lifestyle rose before the Lord in similar fashion as well. So much so that God desired to destroy the city and its inhabitants.

This gives me reason to look at our most recent world events. Can God be pleased with our nation? If the sins of these pagan cities rose before God could the sins of our nation rise as well? I have heard preaching that the nation is under judgment and preaching contrary to that thought, That God would not pass judgment in that manner today.

My take on the issue is that judgment was cast on man when Adam ate of the forbidden fruit. Hurricanes, volcanoes, wars, and earthquakes are all part of the destruction unleashed through his sin. The earth has yet to be restored and man can continue to expect similar events until Jesus once again establishes his Kingdom on this earth as prophesied in the Word.

I believe every destructive force has come as a result of that one act of disobedience. It is apparent that God has also passed judgment on those who take sin to the extreme. How far is our nation from the same atmosphere that drew God’s attention in Sodom and Nineveh?

If you recall Jonah eventually delivered God’s message and the king heard it he sent this decree throughout the city: “No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. 8 People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence. 9 Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us.” From Jonah 3.

Jonah 3:10 10 When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened. God had shown mercy on these people due to their willingness to repent and seek forgiveness.

As our nation edges, ever so close to the same iniquities as described herein, it has but one choice if it desires salvation and to be restored. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. This is the prescription for the ills of our nation.

No amount of protests, riots, petitions or rallies are going to make a difference. The only way our nation will experience healing is by his chosen people following the prescription he shared in his word thousands of years ago.