2/20/2021 – Day 279 – Jonah – 1 – 4 // “If you want to run from God, the devil will always provide the transportation.” Dr. Jerry Vines
This is a story, if we grew up in the church, we’ve heard many times. But let’s put Ninevah in perspective and its historical context. For that I am going to quote Halley’s Bible Handbook’s intro to the book:
“An Errand of Mercy to Ninevah
Ninevah was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrian Empire was a World – Empire for about 300 years (900 – 607 b.c.). It began its rise to world power about the time of the Division of the Hebrew Kingdom at the close of Solomon’s reign. It gradually absorbed and destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Israel. … (Jimmy insert – Samaria, the northern kingdom’s capital was taken over by the Assyrians around 722 b.c., and about 18 years after the initial invasion)
Thus Jonah was called of God to prolong the life of the enemy nation which was already in the process of exterminaing his own nation. No wonder he fled in the opposite direction in patriotic dread of a brutal and relentless military machine which was closing in on God’s people.
Jonah was a native of Gath-hepher. He lived in the reign of Jeroboam II (790 – 749 ), and helped to recover some of Israel’s lost territory (II Kings 14:25). Thus Jonah was a famous Statesman, as well as Prophet.”
I have always been a little perplexed that Jonah spending 3 days in the belly of a “big fish” (the translation is not actually whale) seems to rank right up there with “the most implausible miracles” in the Bible. Impossible for the creator of the universe? Personally, I would rank Balaam’s talking donkey higher.
Jesus specifically identifies Jonah’s experience to His death and resurrection in Matthew 12:40: “For as Jonah was three days and three night in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ” A side note – They were both Gallileans, Gath-hepher was close to Nazareth.
Jonah show tremendous moral fortitude and courage for telling the men to throw his overboard, for indeed he was the cause. And then the men, forestall throwing him over, in apparent desparate attempt to save Jonah’s life at risk of their own lives. And they pray to God when there seems to be no other survivable options left.
But Jonah goes spiritually wimpy after the Ninevites turn a miraculous about face led by their king in repentance after hearing God’s judgment from Jonah. No doubt driven by the Holy Spirit! Of course from there, we know that Jonah laments to God in protest: “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country! Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish, for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness.” Finally , after more whining:, God lovingly admonishes Jonah in the final verse: And should I not pity Ninevah, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left – and much livestock.”
My footnote to Ninevah’s repentence in 3: 7,8 reads: “May our King, too, cause the good news of the gospel to be proclaimed and published throughout the world. This should be our constant prayer — that God will raise up and send forth messengers who will call people to turn from their evil ways. Repentance from sin is more important than food or drink. (see also John 4:34, Luke 24:47)
Soli Deo Gloria!