This past week in our Bible study, we continued on into chapter 2 of the book of Jonah. When we last left our "hero" he had just been tossed into a raging sea. Now we find Jonah praying to God as he in the hell that is the digestive system of a great fish. Observations from Jonah chapter 2:
-It's not until Jonah is in circumstances beyond his control that he finally calls out to God
-Jonah knew that Gods sovereignty was displayed through the mariners by being tossed into the sea
-Jonah compares his situation to being near death
-He seems to know that he will not die and will on day look upon or pray towards the temple once more
-Jonah knows he has done nothing to deserve being rescued but knows that God has extended much grace to him through this time
-Jonah prays against those that do not recognize God as the one true God
-Jonah finally decides to sacrifice himself to Gods purpose and recommits his life to him
-He declares that salvation does indeed belong to God and has been granted to him by God
-Jonah is vomited out by the fish
Conclusion:
Jonahs pride gets in the way of acknowledging that the saving grace that was extended to him was the same grace that was extended to the mariners. His prayer seems to be sincere for only as long as the situation that he is in lasts. Jonahs prayer my have been sincere but it seems to lack much, if any, repentance. That fact that Jonah committed to keep his vow to God but lacked repentance my be the very reason God chose the method he did to release Jonah from the fish. Confession without true repentance is vomit in the sight of God.
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