But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord .’ (Jonah 2:9 NIV)
The Bible is a record of God’s interactions with humanity since creation through a variety of situations. From these we learn a lot about ourselves and more about the one who created us. This episode in the life of Jonah displays so much about the man and the God he serves. The situation could hardly have been more perilous.
About Jonah
The heartfelt nature of Jonah’s prayer cannot be underestimated. His ability to recount his recent experience and give praise to God who delivered him tells us of a man who knows how to express gratitude.
In recounting the events that lead him to pray in the belly of a big fish also highlights his awareness of the need to humble himself and cry out to the Lord in this most dire of circumstances. Even when his own actions had lead him to this position, he didn’t neglect the fundamental knowledge of the God who is compassionate to His people.
Jonah also now has a powerful personal experience of the God who delivers from even the most life threatening experience. That experience is something that he already commits to professing to others, even from this most unusual of locations. Here’s a man, then, that is intent on making the most of his encounters with God to be of benefit to those around him.
About God
From learning that He is actively engaged in the process of being patient and merciful, we see so much about God from Jonah’s prayer.
God is responsive. When Jonah cried out, God heard him. Jonah, in establishing his confidence in God, makes a clear distinction between the God who rescues and worthless idols. The living creator of the universe hears, responds and loves His created and such an aspect of His character is worthy of a worshipful response.
God is creative in providing a way of escape even when there appears to be no way. Bearing in mind He has set this up as a means of getting Jonah’s attention, He hasn’t been cruel and harsh on Jonah. He has cared to take His dear servant from the pits of the earth to establish him. Proving again it doesn’t matter the depths to which our rebellion takes us, God will go to the deepest depths to rescue and engage with those who are His own.
God is in the business of bringing reconciliation so that He and His spokesman are together on His mission. Not only is He going to rescue Jonah, He will even allow the fish to be transport to safety for his manservant, getting the fish to spew him back to dry land where he belongs.
Interaction like this between man and God gives those who know Him hope and reassurance of His character and desire to do what it takes to get us to stay on mission with Him. We may stray, or deliberately decide to avoid what He has called us to do. As long as we remain open and responsive to Him, He will continue to make us aware of how much He wants us to return to Him. As we remain responsive so our heart can be in a position to acknowledge His heart and give the similar response of praise to the Lord of our salvation.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 