God’s Revelation in the belly of the fish

Jonah 2:1-10

Intro

The chapter that interrupts the narrative. This chapter 2 is different from the other 3 chapters of the book of Jonah mainly in its style.

In fact, this chapter does not contain the narration of events, but rather contains a Psalm, a poem.

Chapter 2 it is the prophet's prayer that interrupts the narration of his story and raises his voice to God. In the Bible it is not the first time that the narration of a character's story is interrupted by a song, by a prayer:

Moses and Mary, in Exodus 15:1-22, with a song of victory they interrupt the narration of the liberation of the people of Israel;

Deborah, in Judges 5, interrupts the story of Israel's victory against General Sisera, with her song of thanksgiving to God;

The King David, in 2 Samuel 22:1, interrupts the narration of his kingdom by celebrating the Lord with a wonderful song.

Please Lord, give us the grace to interrupt our plans, projects, our daily routine with our prayer.

Today more than ever, the Church of Jesus Christ, as Jonah, must stop its programs, events and activities and find time to pray, celebrate and lift up the Name of the Lord.

The cry of the prophet. Up to this moment the prophet Jonah has often been silent, too silent.

In fact, in chapter 1 we find the sailors shouting (Jonah 1:5), while the prophet sleeps soundly (Jonah 1:5).

In chapter 3 we note that all the city of Nineveh raises his voice to the Lord (Jonah 3:8).

Finally, in chapter 2 Jonah also cries out and raises his voice to God (Jonah 2:3).

Just like from that boat, a desperate cry is rising from our cities as well.

I believe the time has come for the Church of Jesus Christ to raise his cry as well.

The children of God are called to cry out to the Lord for his help and break the silence of rebellion and disobedience.

Sermon's Outline. Jonah interrupts his escape from God with a prayer, a plea raised to the Lord aloud and with all his heart.

And it is right there, in the bottom of the sea, in the belly of a great fish, the Lord reveals himself to Jonah as the God who hears the prophet's prayer.

In this regard, I would like to consider 4 aspects on the God who hears our prayers (Michaela's example):

The Recipient of Jonah's prayer (Jonah 2:1a); 

The Place of Jonah's Prayer (Jonah 2:1b);

The Posture in Jonah's prayer (Jonah 2:2-9);

The Result of Jonah's prayer (Jonah 2:11).

N. 1 - The Recipient of Jonah’s Prayer

Who is the Recipient? Jonah turned his prayer to God.

When we are faced with our sin, when we face an economic crisis, when a storm threatens to overwhelm our home and family, let us remember Who is the Recipient of our prayers: the almighty Lord.

He is superior to a judge, a governor, a prime minister, a president, He has more power than a King and more authority than an emperor, He is the God of Heaven and earth: But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath (Jeremiah 10:10 - NIV).

Although Jonah disobeyed the Lord, the prophet's awareness of the Lord clearly transpires in his prayer to God.

N. 2 - The Place of Jonah’s Prayer

A distant place for anyone. The Bible tells us that Jonah raised his prayer to God from the belly of the big fish.

Regarding Jonah's location, we can easily conclude that it was a distant place for anyone and a place immersed in darkness.

Yet despite the limitations this place possessed, our Lord was able to hear the prayer of Jonah (Jonah 2:11).

Unfortunately, there are many people who are convinced that God only listens in certain places: church, temples, etc.

There are many who waste a lot of money to reach special places which, apparently, are places closest to God's ear.

This morning we understood that God always listens to us.

No matter where we are, his ear is attentive to our prayers.

That is why we do not want to limit our prayers within the perimeter of the Church, but in every place we want to raise our voice to the Lord: Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing (1 Timothy 2:8 - NIV).

N. 3 - The Posture in Jonah’s Prayer

The right posture. God answers our prayers not because we deserve it, but because of our disposition.

It may seem strange, but God did not answer King Saul, precisely because of his "spiritual posture": Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets (1 Samuel 28:6).

Unlike Saul, we see some attitudes in Jonah that we can imitate if we want to see God's answer to our prayers:

The language in the Jonah's prayer. The prophet's prayer is full of expressions that we find in the Psalms.

It is evident that Jonah spent time studying God's Word and this influenced his prayer.

In other words, the Word of God leads us to pray and in our prayer the Word of God will be exalted.

2. The passion in Jonah's prayer. As I anticipated in the introduction, the prophet begins to cry out to God.

Jonah is not carrying out a simple religious service, but is totally involved in his supplication to God.

When we pray, let's not spare ourselves, but give all of ourselves to the Lord: When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47-48 - NIV).

3. The decision in Jonah's prayer. The prophet decides to consecrate his life to God again (Jonah 2:7-9).

Jonah abandoned his rebellion and chose to do the will of the Lord.

May the same decision of Jonah can emerge from our prayer; only in this way will we find God's mercy: Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy (Proverbs 28:13 - NIV).

The question is: in your prayer what is the decision you made?

N. 4 - The Result of Jonah’s Prayer

God listens to us. In the belly of the big fish, God reveals himself to Jonah as the One who hears our prayers (Jonah 2:11).

This morning we want to remember that among us there is a God who is not deaf to our cry, but He is inviting us to call Him: and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me (Psalm 50:15 - NIV).

One of the greatest lies in hell states that prayer has no result.

People say: “to pray or not to pray change little…, God does not listen to us”.

Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing necessary to a minister. Pray, then, my dear brother; pray, pray, pray.

Edward Payson Hammond

Today we do not want to give in to the lies of the enemy but believe that only through prayer we will see concrete results.

When you feel disinclined to pray, let it be a sign to you that prayer is doubly necessary! Pray for prayer!

The Sealed Hand-A Winter Sermon, Volume 58, Sermon #3289 - Job 37:7

Charles Spurgeon

Conclusion

The God who listens. There is no one who deserves to be listened by God because no one can be worthy of Him, but still we want that the Lord listens our prayer.

No one would have wanted to waste their time listening to the voice of a rebellious man, proud and stubborn like Jonah, yet the Lord listened to the voice of the prophet.

This morning, don't let the past and sin stifle your voice.

God is listening. It is not important where you are, invoke the Name of Jesus.

May your prayer be a perfume that rises to God. He will listen to you and He will help you. Amen!