But when Jonah warned them of Nineveh's imminent ruination, they repented of their violence (at least for a season). And now, do I ever understand Jonah's taking God to task over sparing them that time! Probably like every other Hebrew (and I don't blame them) he wanted to see the Assyrians get their just deserts. The still-current burden on them is being a 'Christian' minority in the Arab/Muslim world.