Jonah 2 Commentary
Verse 10 may suggest a connection between Jonah’s prayer and his deliverance. That being the case, Jonah’s prayer can be considered as a petition for his own salvation rather than a prayer of repentance.
But we shouldn’t be too simple. Jonah’s prayer doesn’t come until he is in the belly of the fish. The LORD prepared the huge fish as Jonah’s ‘salvation’ long before the prophet thought about praying. It says a lot about salvation. There are God processes taking place long before you say you are sorry.
Verse 6 may suggest that Jonah has had a change of heart and reconsidered his position regarding the instruction of the LORD. But the fact that Jonah needed another instruction from the LORD to take off to Nineveh, chapter 3, may cast doubt on the prophet’s repentance.
It appears Jonah maintains his position on Nineveh. Verse 8 may be a reference to Nineveh. They are the ones who cling to worthless idols. Consequently, they are the ones deserving zero love and mercy from the LORD. Jonah speaks to the saint when we feel our own spirituality deserves better as the LORD punishes the idolatry of the world. After all, they have deserved it!
It is interesting how the LORD wants to make us feel like our prayers have done it!
The saint’s prayer has achieved much not because it is great but simply because it is said! And for Jonah, probably his own salvation as a consequence of his poor prayer can awaken him to the boundless mercies of the LORD, even for Nineveh.
Jonah would sing praises to the LORD and offer his sacrifices. More like, I will walk uprightly before my God. Could this be the promise that he vows to keep? Verse 9. Or has he finally thought about the Nineveh instruction?
Regardless, we have picked it. The LORD has called the saint to more than just a cool walk in the Garden of Peace and Tranquility. The calling involves accompanying the master on His salvation errands. It involves a trip into Mercyland – the impossible land of boundless compassions of the LORD. Like Jonah, we all need help to navigate these waters.
Now we can look back. Jonah paid his fare for a trip away from the LORD. While at sea, the sailors did all they could to save themselves. They threw away cargo to lighten the ship but to no avail. It actually sounds familiar. Salvation is never a personal effort. The temptation to merely stop this and that is very high, but that isn’t salvation. It takes the death of one man – one disobedient man. One who carried the crimes of humanity and became the scapegoat. And here there is no fee to be paid. The fish does the job free of charge!
…and at the command of the LORD, Jonah is safely on dry ground!
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 