JONAH SERIES: AN AWAKENING

CHAPTER 2
Chapter 1 of Jonah ends with Jonah in the belly of a fish for three days and nights. Also, chapter 1 revealed that Jonah’s disobedience to God’s assignment brought about this event.
Chapter 2 opens with this, “Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly.” It took Jonah three days to come to his senses; then in distress, he cried out to God.

Verse 2 speaks to the usual response of prayerless believers. It says, “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.” The situation or problem that he was experiencing made him realize he needed divine intervention. Many of us follow Jonah’s example. We reject God’s bidding and fellowship until we need Him to do something for us because we are in a situation that we are unable to rectify. Jonah described his situation as being in hell. It took solitary confinement, darkness, faintness, and no escaping to bring about a remembrance.

In verse 3, Jonah implied that God had cast him into the deep, into the midst of the seas. It appeared as if he was blaming God for the consequence of his actions. He forgot he told the mariners to throw him overboard and it was his actions that resulted in him being placed in this life-threatening situation.

In verses 5-6, Jonah’s continued sea description mirrors that of a person who is drowning. However, some commentaries also believe that this experience happened inside of the fish. The exact location of these experiences is left up to the reader’s speculation because the bible does not clearly state how quickly after being thrown overboard that Jonah was swallowed up,

Wherever he was Jonah’s discourse reveals his desperation and desire to be near God. Also, the awareness that pride, a false sense of human abilities and idolatry hinder a relationship with God. When he had no hope or energy to live, he remembered God and God who is faithful, heard Jonah’s penitent cry.

Jonah’s prayer, which was compiled with a petition, thanksgiving, praise, and rededication resulted in a positive response from God. The last verse in this chapter states, “And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.” God was so merciful to Jonah that he allowed the fish to regurgitate him, not into the seas where he would have to swim to shore, but to a safe place.

As I end this blog, my question to you is, “Now that you are in a hellish place, what are you going to do?” I suggest that you don’t blame God for your present unpleasant experiences but that you realize He is the only one that can help you. My prayer and hope for you is that you repent, rededicate yourself to God, and go and do the will of God for your life. Be bless and make this day count.