0229. Jonah Swallowed but Undigested

Jonah Swallowed but Undigested

"Now the Lord prepared a great fish, and it swallowed up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish, three days and three nights" (Jon_1:17).

1. Here is where many part company with the historicity of Jonah. They call it a legendary parable, or a fanciful fabrication, but wholly deny the possibility of a literal Jonah and a literally prepared fish; and of Jonah surviving a three days’ conscious existence in the belly of the fish.

Why do men cavil at the Word of God? In our day men prepare under-sea crafts, submarines, and they fit them up with every modern convenience, so that groups of men may live in comparative comfort, under the sea surface. Of course, we believe in the possibility of the submarine, because we see it with our very eyes; we have great faith in the prowess of man.

Why not, then, believe in the greatness of God? Could not He Who made the worlds, and Who holds them in their orbits, by the word of His power, prepare a fish? Certainly, He could. The fact is, when the first word of the Bible is accepted, "In the beginning God," the stories of Jonah and the fish, and of the sun standing still in the valley of Adjalon, and of Daniel in the lions’ den; and of Christ walking on the water, are all within the reach of simple faith.

2. Jonah was shut up to God, at last. He could hardly run away from God now. Sometimes God puts us where we will have to think. He lays us flat on our back where we can hardly see our toes, in order that He may make us stop and consider.

3. Jonah found no desire for prayer while he was safely housed in the ship, running away from God; it is quite different now. "Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly. He cried by reason of his affliction.

It is well worth the experience of any suffering, if it teaches prayerless lips to pray. Certainly no chastening is enjoyed, but "afterward it bringeth forth fruit unto holiness."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR