Jonah: Special Delivery

v. 1:17:

Fish or whale

Matthew 12:40 (KJV)

This fish was specially prepared by God.

It’s likely that the fish was a special, one of a kind creation.

Just as Jonah was created and prepared by God to go too Nineveh, this fish was created and prepared to help get him there.

In the same way, every believer is created and prepared by God to a ministry which God has ordained beforehand.

Every believer is specially created and prepared by God to do His work.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Ephesians 2:8–10 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

God has already assigned our task, long before we were ever born.

We are who God created, designed and designated us to be.

By the grace of God, believers are given the gift of faith and salvation.

We are created to do the works that He has pre-ordained.

It is all about God, and all to His glory.

v. 2:1:

Did Jonah die?

Was this prayer uttered after coming back to life after 3 days of death?

Was this prayer uttered as Jonah neared death?

It definitely wasn’t uttered during death.

The past tense is used, as if the experience has already passed. So this either happened after a near death experience, or after death and resurrection.

The only other option is that this passage is misplaced, and should occur after Jonah is vomited from the fish. This does not appear to be the case.

v. 2:

Jonah says that he cried out from the belly of Sheol, the grave.

This wording does not necessarily indicate actual death, it can be used as hyperbole.

David used similar wording more than once, though he never actually died.

Jonah did not necessarily die, David used similar imagery.

Psalm 30:3

Psalm 30:3 NKJV

O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Psalm 86:13

Psalm 86:13 NKJV

For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Psalm 116:3-6

Psalm 116:3–6 NKJV

The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!” Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.

Further, scripture doesn’t allow for the possibility of repentance after death. When you die, that’s it.

There is no opportunity for repentance after death.

Hebrews 9:27

Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Luke 16:20-31

There really is no possibility, in line with the totality of scripture, that Jonah could have repented after his death.

So what of the judgement in spoken of him Hebrews 9:27? Could one pass the judgement?

The only way to pass the judgement would be to have one’s name written in the book of life. this would have to happen prior to death.

Those who aren’t listed in the book will be judged on their works, and all will fail.

Jonah could not of cried out for deliverance after death.

In keeping with the harmony and totality of scripture, this phrase is hyperbole, just as David used in the Psalms.

Jonah was likely very near death, which prompted this change of heart.

vv. 3-4:

Though Jonah had attempted to flee from the presence of the Lord, when he felt that he was out of the sight of God he changed his tune.

At that point, he wanted only to see the Lord again.

vv. 5-7:

Jonah certainly felt as if he were at deaths door, and I’m sure he was.

His should fainted, he was on the brink of death.

The same phrase is used elsewhere to describe a near death condition, rather than actual death.

The phrase “soul fainted” in Scripture is used to describe a near death condition, not actual death.

Psalm 107:4-6

Psalm 107:4–6 NKJV

They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses.

He felt as if he’d left the earth and could never return, but his mind went back to the Lord.

Jonah prayed, and the Lord lifted his life back up out of the grave he was about to enter.

vv. 8-9:

Repentance:

Jonah finally realized the futility of his flight, and of placing his own selfish desires above those of God.

By doing so, he gave up any claim to mercy, so he made a vow.

Jonah’s commitment to pay what he vowed, was most likely referring to going to Nineveh.

He realized that Salvation is of God.

There is no other name.

Salvation is of God, no one else.

Acts 4:12

Acts 4:12 NKJV

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

God’s salvation does not discriminate

Galatians 3:28

Galatians 3:28 NKJV

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:11

Colossians 3:11 NKJV

where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

v. 10:

And so, Jonah was delivered to continue his mission to Nineveh.