Jonah 2:1-10
Q.1. When did Jonah begin to pray? What descriptions verify that Jonah had been in a large fish? How confident was Jonah of escape? – (Jonah 2:1-6)
All the sailors had cried out to their gods, and then to Jonah’s God, asking to be saved. (Jon.1:5 & 14). Jonah himself finally prayed when he was entombed in the belly of the large fish (Jon.2:1). The prayer of Jonah revealed that this is no fairy-story – 5 “Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me. Weeds were wrapped around my head. 6 “I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever … (Jon.2:5-6). Jonah was behind the barred massive teeth of the fish, complete with all the seaweed that the fish had swallowed. Jonah had concluded that this was God’s doing, and that he would be rescued in order to fulfill his divine commission – 4 “So I said, `I have been expelled from Your sight. Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ … 6 But You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. 7 “While I was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to You, Into Your holy temple … 9 But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord.” (Jon.2:4, 6-7, 9).
Q.2. How did Jonah’s suffering provide an insight into the sufferings of Jesus? How do earnest prayers to almighty God make all the difference? – (Jonah 2:4-10)
The Living Word knew the written Word intimately. Doubtless, this story of Jonah was in Christ’s conscious mind throughout His ministry. He declared that He would be involved in an infinitely greater sign (Mt.12:38-41). He would partake of the terrible abandonment Jonah experienced but would also be buoyed by the triumphant outcome. God gained Jonah’s undivided attention. Jonah vowed to change – I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord.” (Jon.2:9). This formed the basis of his confidence in his praying – … 2 “I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice … 7 “While I was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple … 9 Salvation is from the Lord.” (Jon.2:2, 7, 9). The fish could have dumped Jonah back into the ocean, but – the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land (Jon.2:10). God relentlessly pursues His purposes through our experiences. He answers the prayers of His people and reaches out to others as well.