God told Jonah, “Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.” So Jonah headed the other direction, fleeing for Tarshish, in a boat. God hurled a storm upon the sea, threatening to destroy the boat, while Jonah was asleep. The captain had to wake Jonah and demand he pray to his God. They even cast lots to place the blame, and the lot fell to Jonah. Jonah told the truth and accepted the blame, “Throw me overboard, and the sea will quiet down.”
When they threw Jonah overboard and the sea ceased its raging, the men feared the Lord even more because it worked, and they offered sacrifice and made vows to the Lord, the God of Jonah. But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow Jonah, who remained in the belly of the fish 3 days and nights. Only after 3 days of fasting and fish indigestion did Jonah pray to the Lord from the belly of the fish. Oh look! A stubborn and rebellious prophet!
Finally, now, with the voice of thanksgiving, Jonah offers sacrifice to the Lord for deliverance, and promises to pay his vow. A little late don’t you think? But better late than never, I guess. Let’s offer our thanks to God before He is required to take such drastic measures to earn our respect.
Grace & Peace,
Charles