Jonah: Episode Two
As the sailors endured the huge storm it became clear their gods wouldn’t help, therefore, they decided to cast lots, ‘roll the dice’, revealing who’s to blame: it was Jonah. God’s sovereignty is His unlimited power to rule over creation and whatever He decides nothing can block Him. There’s a wonderful security for a believer in that truth. Jonah recognized God’s authoritative hand and advised throwing him overboard to his death; they complied and the storm ceased.
This fascinating story continues revealing God’s sovereignty since He predestined a giant fish to swallow Jonah taking him deep into darkness to experience that ‘dark night of the soul’. For us, it’s the deep, dark place where the Lord may take us when we’re running away from Him, however, it’s also His great love and mercy that keeps Him from giving up on us. This lower story has a counterpart upper story for us to consider; the belly of the fish is that place where God can reach our broken hearts, damaged emotions, and poor choices. In the New Testament it’s the word ‘cardia’ which includes our inner self, our will and intentions, and the place decisions are made: right or wrong.
We can’t imagine what Jonah endured for three days and nights, a death sentence for sure, but this prophet cleared his conscience through prayer (Chapter Two). Acknowledging God’s sovereignty, Jonah left the land of ‘I don’t want to’ and entered the land of ‘I surrender all’. Reflecting on his story, “You cast me into the deep”, his sense of being imprisoned with no escape, Jonah remembered, prayed, and humbled himself by promising to acquiesce or comply silently to God’s assignment. That’s the moment the Lord is always waiting for, humbling ourselves to His plan. He alone holds the keys to our captivity ready to release us when we die to our plans, ambitions, or opinions without protest.
What happened then? The appointed fish regurgitated Jonah’s life, body and soul, placing him back on land in the light of God’s sovereignty. This was a changed man; it’s as if he was raised from the dead. Jesus saw this story as a foreshadow of His mission (Matt. 12:38-40); let’s see why.
Both Jonah and Jesus received an assignment from God to preach repentance, both were aboard a ship during a storm, yet sleeping, both experienced the casting of lots, both were swallowed up in death for three days and nights, both were signs to sinners. If that wasn’t enough, Jonah was involuntarily humbled by God and accepted his prophetic assignment; Jesus voluntarily humbled Himself coming to earth to pay for our sins. Both Jonah and Jesus descended into a ‘grave-like’ experience and yet resurrected to fulfill their mission. And the best part, both fulfilled God’s sovereign plan bringing people to repentance granting them grace and mercy.
God will have His way; let’s enter the land of ‘I surrender all’ allowing Him to change us for His glorious mission in our life.
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