Chapter 2 is Jonah’s prayer while in the belly of the fish – Jonah spent 3 days and nights in the belly of this big fish – I have had several people this week who, like many, believe this story was not true but an allegory, a fable – maybe, but remember, Jonah was a real, historical figure based on 2 Kings 14:25, and Jesus uses the story of Jonah to predict his time between the crucifixion and resurrection in Matthew 12:40-41, which seems peculiar if not true – It doesn’t have to be true to communicate truth, but stranger things have happened, and the evidence seems to point to its validity –

What we can agree on is that God finally had Jonah’s undivided attention, and Jonah’s response is likely very typical of how the majority of us would respond this morning – Have you ever made a deal with God in a prayer? You know, “God, if you get me out of this, I will serve you forever, start tithing, sell my boat, or, I promise NEVER to do this again…” - We’ll see Jonah change his tune from rebellion to resignation.

Verse 2: “In my distress…”  - The word used here in Hebrew is the word TSARAH, which is used for child birth – so, Jonah is saying that his pain was likened to child birth – ladies, I’ve heard that’s painful – and in his distress, he called out to the LORD, and guess what? HE ANSWERED – Why? Because God is gracious – In the middle of your rebellion, when you cry out to God, he is still listening, he is still waiting, his desire is for your rescue – I believe this prayer is taking place as he is in the process of drowning – remember, he was thrown overboard in the middle of a storm –

 

Think about your TSARAH – some of you are drowning this morning – could be the TSARAH of marriage, the TSARAH of illness, the TSARAH of finances, the TSARAH of career – whatever the case, you are in the process of drowning – could be self-inflicted like Jonah, or not your fault at all – But you are at a point where you need to cry out to God

 

But look at what he says next: “From the realm of the dead I called out…” – the Hebrew word here is SHEOL, which can mean grave – the KJV says, “Out of the belly of HELL I cried out” – Jonah was in a living hell, as good as dead – have you ever felt that way? The walls are closing in and you literally feel like this is the end, you are not going to survive? I have been there

 

So, put those two concepts together – Jonah said he was in his own personal HELL, as good as dead, and it was as painful as childbirth, and in that moment, God in his mercy heard his cry – what is mercy? A withholding of judgement – Did Jonah deserve to die? Well, Jonah really did this to himself – remember, it was his idea to get thrown overboard, so natural consequences were really taking over here – but here is what is beautiful – He was never out of reach of the hand of God – it was part of the process – think about it: God says go, Jonah says no – jumps on a boat – FIRST, God sends a storm – SECOND, God sends the ship captain and tells Jonah to pray – THIRD, the sailors look for literally any other solution – FOURTH, God sends a fish to rescue Jonah – this is the process of God – look at your life – do you recognize the process of God in your life? Often we compartmentalize and neglect bigger picture –

 

1. In your TSARAH, in your SHEOL, God hears you and answers you. In your distress, your living hell, God sees you, loves you, and in his mercy he answers when you call out to him.

2. Every follower of Jesus has a BUT GOD moment. If you haven’t had your BUT GOD moment, you have not likely met Jesus – your BUT GOD moment is the moment of rescue from your plan to God’s plan, for HIS GLORY.

3. SALVATION comes from the LORD. Jonah’s acknowledgement is true for all of us. You can’t save yourself. Acts 4:12

4. Jesus is God’s vehicle back to God’s plan.