Huge Fish
“Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”
Today’s Text: Jonah 1:17-2:10 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
Hmm. Given that PJ spoke on Jonah the other week, it is probably quite likely that God has something to say to us from the book of Jonah—at least, He has something to say to me. But you know, God always has something to say to us, as long as we are eager and willing to listen to His voice.
The real question is: how are we going to hear—that is, with what kind of heart—and what are we going to hear?
“If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear. Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.”
— Mark 4:23-24
Scripture is so rich. It speaks in different ways and on different levels to communicate a consistent message coming from the heart and the mouth of God to us, His people, first, and to the rest of the world, second.
And God has given us His word, by His sovereign grace, for two reasons, at least. First, God gave us His word to reveal who He is so that we might come to faith in Christ Jesus. And second, God gave us His word so that we might live according to His word—to live according to His plan and purpose and design for our lives—that is, to live in the kingdom of God.
Jonah, as a prophet of Israel, represents God’s covenant people. We can also think of the “huge fish” as representing a fish idol that the Ninevites and other ancient Near-eastern peoples worshiped. Then, Jonah being swallowed whole by a “huge fish” is a metaphor for Israel being swallowed whole by the idolatry of the Canaanites.
Are we becoming swallowed whole by the idolatry of this world?
Jonah came close to death in that fish, but he prayed to God, and God saved Him. When we find ourselves suffering because of disobedience and the curse of sin, to what and especially to whom shall we turn. There is no salvation apart from Christ.
Jesus called His death the “sign of Jonah.” He meant that Israel (represented by Himself) had to die to the idolatry of this world in order to gain life through the power and mercy of God.
Have we found life in the kingdom of Christ?
Father, You word is beautiful and rich. But I pray that You would give us ears to hear and eyes to see, so that we might walk as Your sons and daughters in Your kingdom. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
