Page 149 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

The Destruction of the Assyrian Empire

As time passed, the Assyrians again forgot God and their wickedness was repeated. God used the
prophet Zephaniah to again warn them of judgment to come, but they would not head his warning.
So, in 657 BC., God brought a drought to the kingdom and they reaped no harvest. It is believed that
this drought and over-population combined in fatal form, which was taken advantage of by Assyria’s
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enemies. Nineveh eventually fell around 612 BC, conquered by the Babylonian Empire and the
Medes. The empire was ended in 609 at the fall of Harran. cxxi

Practical Application: We cannot hide from God. What He wishes to accomplish through us will come
to pass, despite all our objections and foot-dragging. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that He has plans for us
and will see to it that we conform to those plans. How much easier it would be if we, unlike Jonah,
would submit to Him without delay!

God’s love manifests itself in His accessibility to all, regardless of our reputation, nationality or race. The
free offer of the Gospel is for all people in all times. Our task as Christians is to be the means by which
God tells the world of the offer and to rejoice in the salvation of others. This is an experience God wants
us to share with Him, not being jealous or resentful of those who come to Christ in “last-minute
conversions” or who come through circumstances dissimilar to our own. cxxii

The Book of Jonah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLIabZc0O4c&list=PLgl7ryoHplad8CQ
aqxLiGYeJ02c1XYnT1&index=5

Micah
Prophet: Micah, “Who is like YHWH,” from Moresheth-Gath (southwest of
Jerusalem)

Date: late 8th c. BC (ca. 750-700, Jer. 26:18)

Theme(s): Injustice in Judah

Brief Summary: The prophet condemns the rulers, priests, and prophets of Israel who exploit and
mislead the people. It is because of their deeds that Jerusalem will be destroyed. The prophet Micah
proclaims the deliverance of the people who will go from Jerusalem to Babylon and concludes with an
exhortation for Jerusalem to destroy the nations who have gathered against her. The ideal ruler would
come from Bethlehem to defend the nation, and the prophet proclaims the triumph of the remnant of
Jacob and foresees a day when Yahweh will purge the nation of idolatry and reliance on military
might. The prophet sets forth a powerful and concise summary of Yahweh’s requirement for justice and
loyalty and announces judgment upon those who have followed the ways of Omri and Ahab. The book
closes with a prophetic liturgy comprising elements of a lament. Israel confesses its sin and is assured of
deliverance through Yahweh’s mighty acts. cxxiii

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