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In chapter Genesis 10:6 We are introduced to Cush, who was a descendant of Ham one of Noah’s three sons. Cush went on to build many cities including the city of Nineveh, where Jonah had been sent to preach. You may recall that Jonah was the person so consumed by bias that he did not want to see God forgive the people that lived in Nineveh. Jonah disliked the people of Nineveh so much that when God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach, Jonah instead went in the complete opposite direction, was swallowed by a big fish, maybe the size of a whale, which transported him to Nineveh. 

In the book of Jonah, we learn that Jonah shares the Word God gave him for the people of Nineveh. After the people of Nineveh heard the Word of the Lord, they repented. Even the king of Nineveh stepped down from his thrown, put on sack cloth, sat in ashes and ordered a kingdom fast to demonstrate how deeply humbled and sorry he was for allowing the people to disobey the way of the Lord. God had mercy on the people of Nineveh, and they were saved from certain destruction as a result of the relationship they entered into with God. 

Jonah and the people of Nineveh were able to see that God is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. How beautiful! 

Why is this important?

Noah cursed his son Ham, demonstrating his extreme parental disappointment and lack of faith or confidence in the ability of Ham to be successful in life. Culturally, that should have signaled ruin for Ham and all of his offspring. We find later that Ham's descendant, Cush, founded the city Nineveh that obtained mercy from our loving God as a result of their humility and obedience. Even more, God went to great lengths to usher in this reconciliation. He called Jonah, in all of his bias, to be the very preacher who would share the message of light, love, and redemption. 

Through this action we should be encouraged to have hope for our family members and friends that appear destined for destruction and chaos. We can have faith that God's promises are true and will be accomplished whether no matter how impossible they may seem. God can use imperfect people and situations to bring about his plan. The truth of the gospel triumphs over every generation.