Jonah 1:17 – 2:10 Series

Last week we had read that the ship Jonah was on in his attempt to flee from God was in the midst of a supernatural storm created by God himself.

In order for the lives of the men on that ship to be saved the men had no choice but to throw Jonah overboard and once they did the storm stopped.

So In order to see what plan God has in store for Jonah next we need move forward to Jonah 1:17.

17 And the Lord appointed (KJV prepared) a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

In the KJV the word prepared is used instead of appointed, both are fitting I think.

God brought the storm in order to persuade Jonah to fulfill God's will and when that didn't work God did not allow Jonah's will to thwart His plan but instead took steps a little further to insure Jonah did what God called him to do. God appointed a fish to swallow Jonah.

Now not only did Jonah's will not prevail but I am sure this great fish had other plans for the day as well. God's will effects everything no matter if it's a person, an animal, fish or bird, the weather and everything else that has been created. Nothing is outside the will of God when God imposes His will.

One may say that Jonah being inside this fish for three days and three nights is impossible. They may say that there isn't any air or that the stomach acids would eat him up. If God can create a storm and have a big fish swallow Jonah I am sure Jonah's survival within that fish was taken care of by God as well.

I wonder what Jonah was thinking the moment he found himself in that fish? Do you think his understanding of the authority of God quickly improved?

I would say Jonah for the first time in his life was beginning to understand the relationship he had with God and his position in this relationship. Jonah began to understand that he was merely the creation while God was the creator.

I think a lot of Christians today are much like Jonah was prior to this point. I think they misunderstand who God is and the relationship they have with Him. I think that they feel that their will is in some way superior to God and His will. Those people are highly incorrect in their understanding.

Chapter 2:1-2 ~ Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.

At the moment Jonah came to a true realization of the authority and majesty of God and he prays. Jonah realizes his position and his powerlessness in the face of God and humbles himself to Him. At last for a moment.

Jonah is a story that resembles really every story in scripture in that God's will always wins over the creations will. If that were not the case then God would not be God.

3-6 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me.

4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look

upon your holy temple.’ 5 The waters closed in over me to take my life;

the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head 6 at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.

Sometimes it takes a lot for us to submit to God. Sometimes it even takes us being swallowed by a great fish. Do you have a story like this? If not a fish what was it for you? What did it take?

7-10 ~ When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. 8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay.

Repentance and and a re-commitment at times is what is needed in the life of a believer. This could be exactly what is needed to make you the strong committed Christian God wants you to be.

Have you ever had to do this? Are you in a place in life right now where maybe you need to do this?