Small Book, Giant Truths

"Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly. ² And he said: "I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, and He answered me. "Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice."

Jonah 2:1-2

Jonah was directed by God to preach against Nineveh, but he chose to disobey the word of the LORD and fled to Tarshish by ship.  God sent a mighty tempest which tossed the ship and the sailors cried out to their gods, being in jeopardy.  Eventually Jonah was revealed by lot to be the reason the storm had come upon them, and according to his directive Jonah was cast overboard and the sea was calm.  God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and from the prison of stinking flesh Jonah cried out to God and was heard.

This biblical passage has much more going on than what is featured in a book for children:  the prophet needed correction and discipline, the sailors would benefit from a demonstration of God's power and instruction concerning His supremacy and sovereignty, and God desired to provide the people of Nineveh preaching and salvation.  To people who required a sign to believe Jesus was the Christ He pointed to Jonah, that as Jonah was 3 days in the belly of the fish and survived, so Jesus would be 3 days in the grave before rising in eternal glory.  In the book of Jonah everyone seemed to change except for him:  the pagan men on the ship sacrificed to God and made vows, and the people of Nineveh repented of their wickedness with fasting.  The book ends with Jonah justifying his anger and indignation before God who remained gracious, patient and wise.

God's preparation of the storm, the great fish, vine, worm and vehement east wind were more than just lessons for Jonah but for all who read this small book of the Bible.  It is written for the sake of disobedient prophets and people alike to hear, fear and obey God.  It is to correct those who hate other nations or people because of past atrocities to show compassion as God did and does.  It teaches everyone who is experiencing personal hell and feels like God is far from them that God hears the prayer of faith in Him and answers.  This book shows God's wisdom in spreading the knowledge of His power through a prophet and sailors alike in His wisdom.  It demonstrates how God's heart is to hear, save and forgive Jew and Gentile alike by His grace.  When it comes to God's wisdom in His word, our cup overflows.

While we try to avoid affliction, God can use it to draw wayward souls to Himself.  The God who created the heavens, earth and seas, the LORD who called Jonah and saved the sailors and Ninevites who called out to Him, is the Saviour who speaks and works His wonders to this day.  Praise God that He who created the ear can hear, and He is able to deliver us from bondage to stubbornness, idolatry, waves of pride that rise and the belly of affliction.  The book of Jonah isn't kid stuff but a revelation of the glorious God for all ages, all people and for all time.