The dark truth about Jonah (Part One)


 



Because there is so much to unpack with Jonah, I'm going to do this in three parts. 

Nearly everyone has heard the story of Jonah and the whale. In fact, I would argue that it's one of the most popular stories in the biblical canon, both in and out of the church. The story of Jonah is one of those that many scholars wonder reflects a literal account or a piece used to teach a lesson. Understanding Hebrew and Torah culture, many stories were revered for the veracity of the lesson taught, over the veracity of what actually happened. In the case of Jonah, whether it's a literal story or an allegory, the lessons in it are profound, convicting and even disturbing. 

In many ways, I feel like Jonah-- maybe you do too. As we dive into the text, maybe ask yourself how much like Jonah you are and what you can do to work on yourself. The fact that the story ends with God chastising Jonah is unsettling, but, in many ways, stories like this prove the veracity of the Bible. By painting bible heroes in a poor light, it shows that the Bible does not whitewash the truth. This should actually be an encouragement to you and I if you want to be used by God. He can use anyone, even unsavory characters, of which Jonah is one. And lets not forget Samson, King David, and even Balaam. 

The tale begins simply enough: with God giving an instruction to Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach a message of repentance. Jonah says no. But, not only does he say no, he also uses his resources to buy a ticket on a ship and flee on a ship to Tarsus, in the other direction. 

Nineveh was a wicked city. I heard one biblical commentator liken it to Nazi Germany. This seems like a good place to go and share God's word, because it sounds like a place that needs to hear God's word. Jonah, understanding the power of God's word, refuses to go. His hatred for Nineveh is so complete that he would rather seem them perish then see them come to repentance. 

But God will not be mocked. As Jonah travels toward Tarsus on the ship, a great storm breaks out. The other passengers on the ship are stricken with fear and pray to their various God's but to no avail. Jonah, who is sleeping in the hull of the ship, is awakened by others on the ship. He is asked who his God is and Jonah, realizing that the storm is the result of his disobedience, tells them that his god is Yahweh and to throw him over.

As soon as he is thrown over, the storm ceases and those aboard the ship worship the God of Jonah,

Thani about that. These passengers, who had never heard of Yahweh before, see his power and begin to worship him. God uses Jonah's disobedience to bring others to Himself. God used Balaam's donkey, and here He used a disobedient and unfaithful prophet. 

As he is thrown over, Jonah is swallowed by a great fish. There is no Hebrew word whale, so fish is the word used. It's most likely a whale. Scripture further indicates that God ordained this fish to swallow Jonah. 

Once again, God was in control. Sea creatures must even do His bidding. 

Jonah seems to be running out of chances. 

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