Biblios Hokku - Assyria

For our Biblios Hokku today, I want to talk about Assyria.

Assyria was a violent and Godless nation, and for some reason GOD took it into his head to try and save them. More particularly he sent one of his prophets to preach to their capital city. You may have heard of it - Ninevah.

Jonah was called by GOD to go to Ninevah, and he refused; not because he was afraid, but because he didn't want them to be saved. Eventually Jonah goes, and preaches to them, and they repent and are saved. Of course Jonah sulks, because he wanted GOD to destroy them, not save them.

JONAH
A cry of warning.
Salvation reaches to all.
Who are we to judge?

So years later, Israel and Judah start falling into bad habits of worshipping false gods and cheating the poor. So GOD sends Micah to warn them that GOD expects greater things from them. They are warned that they will be judged, and GOD does this by sending the Babylonians and Assyrians to destroy them

MICAH
Do good, love mercy,
and walk humbly with your God.
Or you will be judged.

So after being warned and save donce, powerful Ninevah has fallen back again. It has become a 'city of blood' and GOD's hand will not be stayed a second time. Nahum brings a prophecy of destruction against them, which brings to an end our Assyrian tale.

NAHUM
A city of blood.
My anger is slow, but sure.
No escape this time.