Jonah 2

Context

Jonah quotes many psalms in his prayers, showing that he is a man that knows his word.

Verses 1-2

Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish, cried out to the Lord his God, acknowledging that God heard his plea from what he metaphorically calls "the belly of Sheol" or the realm of the dead.

“and he answered me” This prayer is not a plea for deliverance but rather a thanksgiving for salvation already granted, specifically from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea.

Verses 3-7

(3) “You cast me into the sea” Jonah acknowledges that this was part of God’s plan.

(4) “I am driven away from your sight” Jonah’s despair was not that he was in physical suffering, but rather that he felt God cast him away. BUT YET “I shall again look upon your holy temple” shows that he repented and Jonah remembered the Lord.

(6) “ yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.” Jonah acknwoledges that God punished him by sending him into the bely’s fish but also acknowledges that God is the one to rescue him out.

Verses 8-9

(8) NLT says “Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercy.”

Jonah’s heart here shows that he has changed and that he is now submitted to God.

“Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

Verse 10

“The LORD spoke to the fish” The fish worked at the command of God. Just as much as the fish was under the command of God when it swallowed Jonah, it was under His command when it let him go.

Jonah’s deliverance was complete when he repented. He was sorrowful for what he did and remembered God again (trusted Him again).

Three days and three nights was a foreshadow of the Messiah to come. Similar to Jesus, Jonah gave his life up on the boat to appease the wrath of God.