The enormous fish, body heaving in distress, ploughed through the sea, turbulent waters mapping its progress as, shuddering with indigestion and nausea, it made for the beach. There it vomited the entire contents of its stomach onto the sand. Unbelievably, from the ghastly, sour mess, the barely recognisable figure of a man emerged. Blinking to adjust to the sunlight, and shaking himself free from the repulsive vomit, he was gulping in huge mouthfuls of fragrant fresh air.
Most of us are familiar with the story of Jonah, but I’ve always wondered what happened on the beach. Was anyone else there? What did Jonah look like after three days and nights as a fish’s digestive nightmare? Why didn’t the fish vomit into the sea? Where was this beach? Where did Jonah go to clean up (salt water wouldn’t have been practical)? How long before Yahweh repeated His original command (Jonah 1:2)?
Jonah first appears in 2 Kings 14:25, where we learn his prophecy concerning the restoration of the northern kingdom’s boundaries was being fulfilled. He was obviously a respected prophet, so his panicked reaction to Yahweh’s instructions (1:1-3) is puzzling. Was it, perhaps, because the Assyrians, a cruel, warlike people, were longtime enemies of Israel? Jonah knew he couldn’t hide from Yahweh, but he ran away. Astonishingly, he was in the belly of a great fish before his faith resurfaced! In this unique prayer room, his prayer was almost entirely an offering of thanksgiving (2:1-9)!
Jonah’s life-threatening message to the citizens of Nineveh inspired a sweeping revival, which gained Yahweh’s gracious compassion and a stay of judgment. It teaches us there is hope of forgiveness and redemption for everyone.
Have you ever felt panicked by the way life seems to be unfolding for you? Or tempted to run away from its expectations? Though Yahweh dealt firmly with Jonah, He never gave up on him. He understood him. He understands you, and your reactions to whatever you’re going through. Why not create a unique prayer room wherever you are? He’s always ready to listen, and you can depend on His compassion and love.
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The Test Of LoveWe look at our lives through a spiritual lens now, as we see how our actions as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, friends and coaches, workers and employers relate to [Yahweh's] will.
Timothy Peck
The Congregation Of Yahweh
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