Jonah's Prayer

 ¹ 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. ³ For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the floods surrounded me; all Your billows and Your waves passed over me. ⁴ Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ ⁵ The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; the deep closed around me; weeds were wrapped around my head. ⁶ I went down to the moorings of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever; yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD, my God.⁷ “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; and my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple.⁸ “Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own mercy. ⁹ But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” ¹⁰ So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. - Jonah 2

     Today’s post is an in-depth look into Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2, and a response to the ideas in my last post’s comments. I fully agree with the interpretation that is presented, and marvel that so many Christians and churches seem to miss these points. Usually the story of Jonah goes something like this: Jonah runs from God, Jonah gets swallowed by a whale, Jonah repents and goes to Ninevah. Traditionally, the focus seems to be on Jonah’s punishment in the belly of the fish/whale. I agree that the fish was Jonah’s salvation and the miracle provided by God, not the punishment. Jonah was expecting to meet his demise when he was thrown overboard. Look at verses three through seven. If these verses are not describing how it feels to drown I don’t know what they are describing! Jonah is sinking slowly and drowning in the dark depths of the ocean. He is struggling for air and ready to faint. In these moments he cries out to God and the Lord delivers him by sending a great fish. In the fish’s belly he is praising God for his salvation from drowning. In the grand scheme of things these slight differences don’t really matter, but I feel that we gain so much more insight into Jonah’s situation if we truly read and comprehend.

     The one area where my opinion differs with that of my father’s comment is the main topic of today’s thought. I do not believe that Jonah ever repented for his actions, even when faced with death and the insides of a fish. Search chapter two for any acknowledgement from Jonah that he has sinned. He realizes that he has been cast out of God’s sight. He looks to the Lord to save him from his current calamity, but he does not seek forgiveness. He remembers the Lord and claims that he will sacrifice and offer thanksgiving for being saved from death. His ultimate response is that he will complete what he has vowed. My understanding of this vow is Jonah vowing to go to Ninevah as God has commanded. This is not repentance, just obedience. If we see any mention of Jonah’s prior attitude it is a stab at the people of Ninevah as Jonah reprimands idol worshipers in verse eight. I don’t want to ruin the suspense, but as we read chapters three and four we find that Jonah’s attitude really has not changed. He does obey, but he does so half-heartedly and begrudgingly.

     The reason I point out Jonah’s lack of repentance is not to belittle Jonah or focus on his failures. I believe that when we understand this point we are able to see the absolutely amazing mercy bestowed upon us by the Lord. Jonah has forsaken God’s command. God has chastised Jonah and brought him to the brink of death in an attempt to open his eyes. Jonah is crying out for mercy while sinking both in the dark depths of the sea and the dark depths of his sinful heart. He is crying for the Lord’s help while still forsaking the Lord’s will for his life. His attitude stinks and he knows it, yet he presumes upon God’s grace. In spite of everything Jonah is doing wrong, God still hears his cry and offers him salvation. Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jonah got one thing right when he concluded his prayer in verse nine: “Salvation is of the LORD.” Salvation is not from anything we have done or ever will do. Salvation is offered to us even though we don’t deserve it; even though we have a poor attitude. God is a God of second chances, mercy, and forgiveness. The beginning of chapter three starts off like this: ¹ Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, ² “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” No reprimand, no reminder, just the same simple command offered to Jonah once before. God does not hold grudges. He forgives and forgets. What a thought, to realize that God would still show patience with Jonah. How humbling to think that God will use Jonah in spite of Jonah. God hasn’t changed. He still offers salvation to all, no matter their past. He still shows patience and mercy to this disobedient and rebellious sinner. He still uses me in spite of all my faults and selfish antics. God’s mercy is truly incomprehensible.