Rotting Inside the Fish
Identifying With Jonah a Little Too Much
Jonah is one of the most intriguing books in all of Scripture. This short prophetic work does not seem to fit in the Bible. Particularly when comparing it to the other prophetic books, Jonah sticks out as an anomaly. Jonah is certainly not your typical prophet — even a cursory look at him reveals some deep character flaws. Jonah seems to model rebellion instead of faithfulness, anger instead of mercy, and selfishness instead of godliness. He appears to have his own agenda at heart instead of God’s, which he is commissioned to be prophesying. How peculiar indeed.
What are we to make of this strange book?
Inside this book we find themes such as God’s demand for obedience, God’s grace toward those who don’t deserve it, and even His ability to use unnatural means to accomplish His purposes. We can see the great discrepancy between the “righteous” Jonah, compared to the pagan sailors and the pagan citizens of Nineveh. I believe these themes are certainly there for us to relate to and learn from.
However, I believe the purpose of this book may be to put ourselves in Jonah’s shoes. By identifying with Jonah we will realize that God is in control even when we attempt to usurp him, that God loves his enemies and strives to correct His relationship with them, and that God can and will use anyone — even if they are far from perfect.
Let me be clear: we don’t want to be like Jonah. But you see, if we really examine ourselves, most of us are Jonah. Most of us are stuck in a stage of Jonah’s story. The question is, “which one?”
Perhaps we’re at the beginning, minding our own business, just about to receive a word or mission from God. Perhaps we’ve received the mission but we’re rebelling and running away. We might believe that a different mission is better or that the mission He has given us is too challenging — so we run. Perhaps we’ve been cast out of the boat in a self-declared sacrifice to save others. Perhaps we have been redeemed and are limping toward the mission God has established for us. Perhaps we’ve preached the word and we are frustrated to see the fruit of that message around us. Perhaps we are speaking out in selfish anger at God for doing exactly what he said he would.
If you’re a Jesus follower like I am, you should be asking yourself: “Am I like Jonah? Which part of Jonah’s story am I stuck in?”
As I read through Jonah’s story, I came to the gut wrenching realization that I am Jonah… and I know exactly where in the story I am. I’m rotting inside the fish. I’m cramped in the filth, wallowing in my own selfish conclusions. I’m waiting for God to redeem, restore, and renew, yet God is waiting for my repentance and refocus. I desperately need to correct my relationship with God and for God to tell the fish to vomit me out. I need revival.
How long have I been rotting here? I mean, I read my Bible. I try my best to be a godly husband and father. I’m doing everything I can to be a positive witness at work. I attend my local church and give of my talents and treasure. I’m even pursuing God-given dreams of future ministry. So how did I get here? I have realized that even with these actions in mind, I’m stagnant. I have expectations for God to deliver, yet, in conviction, he reminds me that my heart is far from him. I’m more concerned with worldly things and pleasures than I am with his purposes and Kingdom. I want everything to to be handed to me now without trusting in his timing. I’m looking past those in need due to my own selfishness.
Perhaps you identify with me? Are we rotting inside the same fish?
Jonah was inside that stinking fish for three whole days and nights. It took him three days to break out of his rebellious selfishness to repent. I would like to think it would have taken me three minutes… but how long have I been rotting inside this fish? What am I supposed to do? Pray. Repent.
Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish:
I called to the Lord in my distress, and He answered me. I cried out for help in the belly of Sheol; You heard my voice. You threw me into the depths, into the heart of the seas, and the current overcame me. All Your breakers and Your billows swept over me.
But I said: I have been banished from Your sight, yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple.
The waters engulfed me up to the neck; the watery depths overcame me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. I sank to the foundations of the mountains; the earth with its prison bars closed behind me forever!
But You raised my life from the Pit, Lord my God!
As my life was fading away, I remembered Yahweh. My prayer came to You, to Your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forsake faithful love, but as for me, I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving. I will fulfill what I have vowed.
Salvation is from the Lord!
Finally, a heartfelt repentance. Finally, a heartfelt reconnection with God the Deliverer. Finally, a deconstruction of hubris and a return to humility. God’s very next action? Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.(vs. 10) I love that God did not have the fish puke Jonah up in the depths of the ocean. Instead, God placed him directly onto the shore — right back on the correct path. He launched him onto the very thing that would signify true deliverance. God is pretty good that way.
I believe that God has delivered me. My salvation is found in him alone. I believe that God’s purposes are true. I rejoice in my Savior! Salvation is from the Lord! Now to not repeat the mistakes of Jonah in chapters 3 and 4. I’m forever learning. Come learn with me?
Special thanks to Nathan Paulus and the staff at Radiant Church for preaching through this book. Clearly you all have inspired me to perform some much needed introspection!
