A Whale of a Story

O. T. #2162 "A Whale of a Story"

April 1, 2022

Jonah 1-Part 8

LET IT GLOW

John has been talking a lot about love, hasn't he, in the book of          I John? We have been assured that God is love and He showed us His love by sending His only son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place on the cross for our sins. John carries this love of God that is in us a step further  in verse 11:

Beloved, if God so loves us, we ought also to love one another.

So, beloved, how are we showing this love of God that is within us? It is not to be kept to our self.

Are we serving others, teaching others, and living a sacrificial love toward them? How do we treat the unlovely and those with a sour disposition?

 Do we put the needs of others before our needs? Picking and choosing is not an option that I have found in the Word.

Are we living love, God's love, in the world? Will we look for ways to share His love? What a blessing it is to bless others.

1 Corinthians 13 instructs us that love never fails. It bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. sometimes we just need reminding, huh?

LET IT GROW

We left Jonah thrown overboard the ship that was intended to be his escape from God's presence and will. The violent wind, waves, and storm must have been death-threatening. That is what the prophet chose instead of obeying his God. However, the storm calmed when Jonah was thrown over the ship. (verse 15)

Down, down, deeper into the sea Jonah sunk. He took his sin with him, too. It was the sin of rebellion against God's will. But God will do whatever it takes in order for His will to be accomplished.

What did God do and use to change Jonah's mind? Verse 17 tells us, Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

What an experience! Jonah was prepared to drown to death, after all, he deserved death. Rebelling against God, and a prophet to boot!Well, that was not in God's plan. Jonah was going to Nineveh, one way or another. The Lord had prepared a great fish to do it. Mercy!

Prepared means appoint, set, tell.

God had previously created this particular type of fish during the time of creation. He had this particular one fish born later and in reserve until the day of Jonah when it fulfilled its particular mission. This great fish was commissioned, already in existence, for the task of preserving the prophet Jonah.

What kind of great fish was this? I did some research and my conclusion is that it was a blue whale sent to rescue Jonah. Blue whales can grow to be 219 tons and 75-79 feet long.

Also, Jesus refers to this great fish as being a whale, in Matthew 12:39-41.

John Gill had this to say, " Providence of God had the fish near the ship and mouth open, swallowed Jonah and retained him in its belly not digested, not suffocated. Jonah lived and breathed there 3 days and 3 nights, kept his senses and frame of mind to pray and praise God. What is it that the power of God cannot do?"

Our God is in control of His creation and creatures. They willingly obey and serve His purposes. Except mankind is given the option to do so.

LET IT GO

What a Mighty God we serve!

Help us be willing to do Your will for Your glory!