Jonah
v1-3
Jonah -
If it weren’t for 2 Kings 14:25, we wouldn’t know anything else about this prophet.
The prophet receives the word, but does the opposite of what he’s told.
He doesn’t merely ignore it, or try to bargain or plead with God.
He goes to the furthest possible reaches away from Nineveh, and away from the presence of the Lord.
Map
As a prophet of God, surely Jonah was familiar with Psalm 139. (Read Ps 139 7-12)
v4-6
“Sent out” - Translations? “hurled”
Sleep - Jonah has cast himself into this state of wandering, chaos, death, “flood” (deep waters), and now sleep.
Sleep is akin to death - the body is at rest and the mind/soul is in an alternate state of reality. It is cut off from the land of the living, moving, waking world.
The language God used was “arise” and go to Nineveh, and here Jonah is descending into the lower part of the ship.
Suffice it to say that it is indicative of the state that Jonah has put himself into.
He has abandoned his call, his land and possessions, and the very thing that identified him and set him apart (his walk with God).
We are about to see him descend even further into this death state.
v7-9
Lots - Art’s message
God used lots many times in the Bible to reveal something.
The lot is cast into the lap…
v10-16
Another indicator of the state in which Jonah is in.
The roles are reversed or upside down.
Here the pagans are interceding for the prophet.
They tried as much as they could to return to land, but God would not let them.
In other words, they had mercy on Jonah even though they knew all of this was because of him.
“You have done as it pleased you.” - Theme
Even in this wandering state God used Jonah to convert these pagan men.
It’s easy to overlook this, but note that even knowing that he is about to be thrown into the ocean, Jonah still doesn’t repent and cry out to God.
Jonah knows that he can reverse what is happening with a word,
The simple act of turning his heart back to God and obedience to His will.
Of course, we know the fish is there, but Jonah does not.
This shows us very starkly how unwilling the prophet was to preach repentance to Nineveh.
v17-2:10
Jonah is brought to the lowest possible state
Complete darkness in the heart of the sea
Basically a watery grave.
From this place Jonah finally cries out to God.
Is it a fish or a whale?
The word “fish” has a very specific meaning in English, but that doesn’t quite carry over to ancient Hebrew.
It’s quite possible that a whale would be considered a “dag” or fish.
Some think that God preserved Jonah’s life in the belly of the fish
Others think Jonah basically died and was resurrected.
What would support the idea that he died?
That he didn’t die?
v3:1-4
It is commonly said that the fish vomiting Jonah up onto dry land was a sign to the Ninevites.
The head or “father” god of Assyria was Dagon, which is said to be a fish god that is depicted as being half fish. Therefore, it would be as if he was sent by the fish god.
Don’t get mad, but I’m going to poo-poo this argument.
- Nineveh is not on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea
- It is possible that the fish somehow found a way up into the Black Sea, and maybe even traveled through a river to get to Nineveh
- However, God tells Jonah to arise and go to Nineveh, which the prophet does (this time). Meaning he wasn’t already there.
- It is possible that the fish somehow found a way up into the Black Sea, and maybe even traveled through a river to get to Nineveh
- It is no longer believed that Dagon was a fish god.
- Yes, the Hebrew word for fish is “dag”, but this is a pagan Assyrian god
- The association with fish imagery came from some comments made by Rashi in the 11th century and mis-assigning imagery of the actual fish god “Kulullu” with Dagon during the Medieval period.
With all of that said, I take everything scholars say with a grain of salt, but there is nothing in the passage to indicate that his being vomited up by a fish was a sign to the Ninevites.
It does make sense though, that being in the belly of the fish would have some effect on Jonah’s skin - giving it a bleached appearance due to the stomach acid.
Maybe, it’s an interesting theory.
v3:5-10
The people of Nineveh take heed to the words of the prophet and repent in sackcloth and ashes at the decree of the king.
Chap 41-8
“God appointed” 1:14 & 4:6,7,8
God is in control of nature
God was merciful to Jonah, but after a full day and night, it was time for Jonah to let go and accept what God was doing.
God gave to Jonah a 2nd chance after he is humbled in the belly of the fish
Nineveh is getting a second chance at the preaching of Jonah.
Did he learn his lesson?
4:9-11
God cares about the lost
He is a God of mercy and 2nd chances. Sometimes 3rd, 4th, 5th..
760 BC - 612 BC (Nineveh destroyed)
~148 years later.
Nahum
Zephaniah
Thoughts? What can we learn? How can we relate to the story of Jonah?
Fear to preach
Human judgment
Jonah is an example of someone called to preach but resists that call.
Thoughts?
What excuses do we come up with to not preach the word?
Fear
They won’t accept the message
They don’t deserve mercy
How do we overcome these things?
Figure out what it is.
Pray, seek God, humble yourself, learn God’s heart for the lost.