Podcast Introduction

Today is prophecy Friday, and we’ll read about the guy who was swallowed by a fish! We will read the book of Jonah And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I have a comment or two to share with you, and a really serious prayer request. I’m calling today’s episode “No, Not Them!“  

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Cristian Palmer on Unsplash

Comments on Jonah

As you know, this book called Jonah is grouped in with what are commonly called the books of the Minor Prophets. Did you notice any of what we commonly think of as prophecy in today’s reading? Not much. Just one sentence, and it wasn’t until chapter three, verse four: “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown."

But let's remember that a prophet is not only one who tells what will happen. A prophet is one who carries a message from God. And this, Jonah did. Jonah was a prophet, as much as any of the other biblical prophets. 

Now, as for whether or not a man could actually be swallowed whole by a fish. First, in the original language, the word translated as "fish" is "dg" (pronounced dag). That actually is the Hebrew word for fish. So in my mind, that settles it. Jonah was swallowed by a great big fish. Is it  not entirely conceivable that God would be able to create a fish large enough to swallow a man? Of course it is. Some people say that it must have been a whale. I don't know why it's easier to believe that whale swallowed him than a fist, but ok. According to gotquestions.org: "There are at least two species of Mediterranean marine life that are able to swallow a man whole. These are the cachalot (also known as the sperm whale) and the white shark. Both creatures are known to prowl the Mediterranean and have been known to sailors since antiquity." The entire article there at gotquestions.org is worth a read.

We first heard of the man Jonah in 2 Kings 14:25, where we were told that he was from Gath-hepher in Galilee. He brought a message of mercy to Israel during the reign of king Jeroboam II (who practiced the worship of the golden calf). 

In this book that bears his name, we read how God told Jonah to go to Ninevah and rebuke them and call them to repent. But Jonah’s response was “No, Not them!” The Ninevites were considered the worst of the worst. He didn’t want them to receive God’s mercy. And so he ran away, in the opposite direction from Ninevah. But through his experience with the fish, Jonah learned that following God is the better choice. So when God called him a second time to go, he went. But then Jonah became angry when Nineveh did repent, and at God’s mercy in forgiving Nineveh.

From the introductory notes at bible.com: “Jonah’s role in the book is to represent the attitude of many in Israel toward other nations. Instead of accepting their own calling to help these nations come to know the true God, they considered them enemies and expected God to destroy them. The book teaches that God’s love extends beyond Israel to other nations, indeed, to the whole creation. God’s final question to Jonah is intended for all the book’s readers.”

What was the final question? “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”

I'm so glad that God has offered redemption to all nations, because that offer was extended to me, and to you.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 1-4 NASB

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The Team

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