Days of Jonah
An Essay on the Historical Setting of the Prophet’s Mission to Nineveh
The author examined a broad array of evidence encompassing the biblical text, biblical chronology, historical data, royal inscriptions of Assyrian kings, chronicles of ancient Assyria, religious practices and traditions of ancient Assyria, archaeological discoveries, and scientific data. He proposes that Jonah visited Nineveh in the midst of a chain of cataclysmic events when Ashur-Dan III was king of Assyria and Jeroboam II was king of Israel. In those days, Assyria witnessed an omen that Nineveh would be destroyed, endured two plagues, and three fruitless wars. That was an ideal time for a prophet of the God of Israel to proclaim to the city a message of judgment. The Ninevites were already going through tribulation, and would believe they are in a time of divine disfavor. At the preaching of Jonah, the Ninevites repented and God rewarded Assyria with three years of peace that began in 758 BC. Other scholars proposed similar scenarios. This book may be unique in that it draws heavily from Assyrian chronicles written during the days of the events described.
Interview on Daily Spark TV With Dr. Angela Chester
To view the interview, click on the image labeled S11:EP23 | Arturo Ortiz: Days of Jonah.
