The Iraqi city of Mosul has been in the news a lot in recent years.  Since 2014 it has been controlled by ISIS.  A city of about 2.5 million people, many have fled and those who remain live under harsh conditions.  The Iraqi army is advancing toward Mosul with the hope of retaking the city by the end of the year.

Located in northern Iraq on the west bank of the Tigris River, it is directly across the river from the ruins of the ancient city of Nineveh.  Seven centuries before Jesus, Nineveh was the largest city in the world and capital of a cruel empire known as Assyria.  In 722 BC Assyria would conquer the northern kingdom of Israel.  The Jewish nation had fought a civil war following the death of Solomon and divided into two kingdoms – Israel in the north and Judah in the south.  After Israel’s fall in 722 BC and the deportation of its inhabitants, the nation ceased to exist.

A few decades before Assyria became a world power and destroyed Israel, God sent a Jewish prophet to the people of Nineveh.  His name was Jonah.

This Sunday we’re going to look at his story and learn some important lessons about God’s love for people then and now.  Get here early for worship and bring a friend with you.  It’s going to be a good day.

Pastor Steve  Hogg