Read Jonah 1:17 – 2:10
What is significant about the time Jonah remained in the fish?
- Three days and three nights!
- Is there some reference to Christ’s death and resurrection?
- Note that Jesus Himself relates to Jonah. ( Matthew 13:39-40)
Jonah prayed to the Lord, we are told, but what kind of prayer was it?
- It was a prayer of thanksgiving, not a prayer asking for deliverance.
- Jonah was thankful he had not drowned.
- He acknowledged God’s great mercy.
What do we learn about Jonah in these verses?
- Despite his initial actions in running away from God, Jonah shows great faith here by thanking God for his rescue whilst it was still on going and he was still in the belly of the fish.
- Yet even now, in verse 8 we see that still Jonah has not yet grasped God’s plan for the world.
- His faith may be real but he is still judgemental and self-centred.
- Nevertheless, Jonah believes that God can and will save him – indeed that in this situation it is only God who can save him.
What do we learn about God in these verses?
- God is in control of all things.
- He is forgiving and gracious.
- What we have here in these verses is an illustration of God’s power – God’s mercy – God’s power.
What from these verses can we apply to our lives?
Are we at times self-centred in our faith – thinking only of our own circumstances?
If we found ourselves (metaphorically) in the belly of a huge fish, would we trust God in the same faith?
Is there anything we need to change in our relationship with our Lord?