“Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.” Jonah 2:1-2
Jonah was the first of Prophets after Elijah and Elisha. He was the only Prophet sent to the Gentiles, and he was the only Prophet who tried to conceal his Message. The reason for that attempt at concealment was that, the prosperity of Nineveh, the city to which Jonah was being sent, meant the subjection of Israel. Conversely, the destruction of Nineveh would mean the prosperity of Zion. So Jonah had great problems going to preach to the people of Nineveh.
Nineveh was founded by Nimrod (Genesis 10:11). The name signifies “City of Nimis,” i.e. Nimrod.
The Book of Jonah is unique, in that it is more concerned with the Prophet himself than with his Prophecy. The condition of his soul and God’s loving discipline of him instruct and humble the Reader.
Despite Jonah’s effort to get away from God and thereby not have to preach the Message of repentance to Nineveh, the Holy Spirit declares that Jehovah is still Jonah’s God. When disciplined and restored in soul, Jonah could say “My God.” Fellowship may be broken, but relationship? Never! That is if the person keeps believing.
In the belly of the whale, Jonah begins to cry to God. He said “But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” Jonah 2:9
“Salvation is of Jehovah.” This is the lesson that proud man consent to learn; for it teaches him that he cannot contribute to his own salvation – for what could Jonah do inside the great fish? And so if man is to be saved, the Salvation must be wholly Divine.
Jonah was a “sign” to the people of Nineveh, that is he was a personal illustration of the Wrath and the Grace of God. The word “sign” makes it evident that the facts of his entombment in the fish and his deliverance preceded him and were known to the people of Nineveh. Hence, their acceptance of his message.
The Message was straight and to the point. Unless Nineveh repented, in forty days judgement would come. It is not stated exactly how this judgement would come, but evidently, knowing of Jonah’s experience, the Holy Spirit used this to bring about one of the few times in history that, true Repentance was forthcoming upon the announcement of impending judgement.
The last two Verses, Jonah 4:10-11 contain the great lesson of the Book. Jonah needed the gourd, which he himself had not made and grieved at its destruction. God created the inhabitants of Nineveh; His love needed them. How much greater, therefore, would be His grief in their destruction, as it is with any soul!
LET’S PRAY.
Oh Lord, give me grace enough to be obedient and to do Your Will. Help me to submit myself, heart, soul, mind and body unto You fully in Jesus’ glorious name. Amen Amen Amen. Fountain to your life.
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