Written by Lesallan Bostron 08/10/23
Jonah 1:17-2:10 (ESV) Dialogue – God is Sovereign, Merciful, and Faithful
God’s sovereignty extends over all things, including nature and human affairs.
God’s sovereignty is the doctrine that He is the supreme ruler of all things and that nothing happens without His knowledge and will. He has absolute authority and control over nature, human rulers, history, angels, and demons. Even the devil (Satan) must seek God’s permission before he can do anything, “The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19, ESV). God is the ultimate source of all power, existence, and everything that is now (reality), was yesterday, and will be in the future (Hebrews 13:8, ESV). One example of God’s sovereignty in the Book of Jonah 1:17-2:10 (ESV) is how God appointed (chose) a great fish to swallow Jonah 1:17 (ESV) and instructed the fish to spit Jonah out on dry land (Jonah 2:10, ESV). God used the great fish to discipline Jonah for his disobedience and to bring him to repentance and prayer. God also showed His mercy and grace to Jonah by saving him from death and giving him another chance to obey His call (Jonah 2:10, ESV).
Disobedience to God can lead to dire consequences, as shown in Jonah’s experience when he tried to flee from God’s command.
The story of Jonah (Jonah 1-4, ESV) shows us the serious consequences of disobeying God and running away from His will. Jonah was a prophet who received a command from God to preach to the wicked city of Nineveh, but he refused and boarded a ship going in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:3, ESV). God sent a ferocious storm that frightened to sink the ship (Jonah 1:4, ESV), and Jonah confessed that he was the cause of it (Jonah 1:9, ESV). The sailors threw him overboard (Jonah 1:15, ESV), and a huge (big) fish swallowed him. Jonah stayed inside the fish for three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17, ESV) until he prayed to God (Jonah 2:1, ESV) and asked for forgiveness (Jonah 2:9, ESV). God heard his prayer and commanded the fish to spit him out (Jonah 2:10, ESV). Jonah then finally obeyed God and went to Nineveh (Jonah 3:3, ESV), where the people repented and were freed from God’s judgment (Jonah 3:10, ESV).
As seen in Jonah’s experience, repentance is necessary for forgiveness when he prays to God for help and repents for disobedience to the Lord while inside the fish.
As seen in Jonah’s experience, repentance is necessary for forgiveness when he prayed to God for help and repented of his disobedience while inside the fish. Jonah’s prayer of repentance is recorded and written in the Book of Jonah 2:1-9 (ESV). Repentance involves acknowledging one’s wrongdoing, turning away from it, and seeking forgiveness from God. Jonah 2:1-9 (ESV) records the prayer of repentance that Jonah uttered from inside the fish that swallowed him. He had disobeyed God’s command to preach to Nineveh and faced the consequences of his sin. Repentance is the key to receiving forgiveness from God, as it involves confessing one’s sin, renouncing it, and asking for God’s mercy. Jonah realized his mistake and cried out to God for help, and God heard him and delivered him from the fish.
God is merciful and compassionate, as seen in Jonah’s experience when God saved him from the great fish after he repented of his disobedience.
God is merciful and compassionate, as seen in Jonah’s experience when God saved him from the great fish after he repented of his disobedience. Jonah’s prayer of repentance is recorded and is written in the Book of Jonah 2:1-9 (ESV). God’s mercy and compassion are also evident in His willingness to forgive the people of Nineveh when they repent of their sins (Jonah 3:10, ESV). Jonah experienced God’s mercy and compassion firsthand when a huge fish swallowed him and was delivered from it (the belly of the fish) after he confessed his sin of running away from God. His prayer of thanksgiving and praise is found and is written in the Book of Jonah 2:1-9 (ESV). God also showed His mercy and compassion to the wicked city of Nineveh, which He spared from destruction when they turned from their evil ways and sought His forgiveness (Jonah 3:10, ESV). Those who repent are shown love by God, who is gracious and patient.
God’s plans are not always what we expect or want, but they are always good; this is seen in Jonah’s experience when God sent a great fish to swallow him and save him from drowning.
Jonah learned the tough way that God’s plans are not always what we expect or want, but they are always good. When Jonah disobeyed God and ran away from his mission to preach to the Ninevites, God sent a big fish to swallow him and rescue him from drowning. Jonah realized that he could not escape from God’s presence or purpose, and that God had a good reason for sending him to Nineveh. God’s plans are often mysterious and surprising, but we can trust that they are always for our benefit and His honor.
Further working on and regarding Professor Godbold’s feedback to the Book of Jonah (ESV) Survey assignment. In this passage (Jonah 1:17-2:10, ESV), one might observe that there is “repetition” in the use of the word “LORD” and “fear” throughout the text. There is also a “contrast” between Jonah’s initial disobedience and his eventual repentance, as well as between the sailors’ initial fear and their eventual fear of the LORD. There is also “causation,” as Jonah’s disobedience leads to the storm, and his eventual repentance leads to his deliverance.
Lastly, one objective of this assignment was to apply Jonah 1:17-2:10 (ESV) to contemporary issues. One possible way to apply Jonah 1:17-2:10 (ESV) to today’s contemporary issues is to reflect on how God is sovereign over all creation and can use any means to accomplish His purposes. Jonah tried to flee from God’s presence (Jonah 1:3, ESV), but God sent a great fish to swallow him and keep him alive for three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17, ESV). During this time, Jonah prayed to God from the belly of the fish (Jonah 2:1, ESV) and acknowledged His power, mercy, and salvation. God then commanded the fish to vomit Jonah out upon the dry land (Jonah 2:10, ESV) so that he could fulfill his mission to Nineveh.
The overall message of Jonah 1:17-2:10 (ESV) is that God is sovereign, merciful, and faithful. He has the power to save and judge, and he responds to the repentance of his people. Jonah, who tried to flee from God’s presence and mission, experienced God’s sovereignty in being swallowed by a great fish, and God’s mercy in being spared from death. He (Jonah) also learned that human boundaries do not limit God’s faithfulness, as God showed compassion to the Ninevites who turned from their evil ways. Jonah’s prayer in chapter two reflects Jonah’s recognition of God’s grace and his commitment to obey God’s call.
Many Blessings to All! The prayer is that at the end of this course is that, God never let’s go
