Study of Jonah, Chapt. 2

This chapter starts by stating that the LORD (I will write on LORD, Lord, Hashem and Yahweh at another time.)  provided a huge fish (NIV) to swallow Jonah.  My Hebrew translation makes it clear it is NOT a whale.  Young's Literal Translation says big fish.   I have heard speculation that it was some sort of prehistoric sea creature or a creature God created just for this purpose.   I don't believe this detail is important or text would be more specific.   We can assume it was a large animal that lived in the sea.   We are also told he was in the "fish" three days and three nights.  Mt 12:40 relates this story of Jonah to the time Jesus would lie in the earthen tomb.

(By the way, science has found live animals in the belly of whales.  Whether it was a whale, fish or a sea monster, this story rings true.)

Verses 2 - 9 Jonah prayed to God.  We read Jonah praising God for His greatness.  Again, acknowledging his God as powerful.  In verse 4, he speaks of being alive on dry land again.  We can assume Jonah was aware that God meant to save him since he was swallowed whole/alive as opposed to being chewed up into bite size morsels.  He verbally reminded God, and himself, of the might, power and mercy of God.  Sometimes we need to hear what we believe out loud; sometimes we need to pray out loud.  He ends his prayer with the promise of loud praise and a sacrifice.  Then, he makes a vow to proclaim God's salvation.

The second half of verse 6 could refer to God's merciful plan that saves us from hell (the pit).  In the same way verse 7 could be likened to a person coming to the end of their struggles in life to acknowledge Jesus as their savior.

In verse 8 Jonah speaks against idol worshipers.  He could be referring to Gentiles in general, the sailors of the ship or the Ninevites.

(If read just the right way, this prayer can sound like a con job.  However, you cannot con a God who can read your heart.)  Jonah obviously had some sort of relationship with God for such a heartfelt prayer. The prayer is honorable and shows great awe and humility.  He has definitely repented to do God's will.

He was in the belly of a fish but he knew God would spare him (V.4).  (Jesus knew when in the tomb, that His Father would not abandon Him.)  There certainly was something special about this man that God chose him for a special task.  Of course he had flaws (stubborn, jealous, argumentative) but this only reminds us that God uses flawed people so His presence is obvious through His miracles.

Then, just as the Lord commanded the storm to stop and it did (immediately), He now commanded the fish to spew Jonah onto dry land and the fish did - without hesitation.

I have read commentaries that state this book is just a fairy tale of sorts to entertain us albeit with or without a point.  I say everything in this book is possible and factual.  Put that together with Rev. 19:10 which emphatically states ". . . it is the spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.".  It is explained very emphatically from original Greek text:  "For the substance, essence of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy, the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose of God."  Jonah is known as a prophet.  The Holy Spirit of the God Head authored the Bible.

We are now at the end of chapter two and I want to point out seven (7) miracles in these two chapters that were performed by the hand of God.  Seven is the number of completion and the task of convincing Jonah to do what he was told is completed.

The miracles I speak of are: the great wind that came up on the sea, the casting of lots (by Gentiles) that God answered, the sea growing calm immediately, the great fish that came along just as Jonah went overboard, remaining alive in the fish for three days, being vomited up from the fish and doing it on dry land. 
Behold the mighty hand of God !

Amen