Justin Houtz

Jonah 2

DateVersionReading Plan
@November 21, 2023ESV (2016)ESV Prophets Plan 2023

Pericopes

  • Jonah’s Prayer

Notes/Application

Jonah prayed to the LORD from the belly of the fish and the LORD heard his voice. Though he had been banished from God’s sight, Jonah expected to see His holy temple in Jerusalem once again. Jonah was at the lowest parts of the ocean but expressed his faith that God would rescue Him. In addressing his original audience, the Israelites, Jonah addressed the vanity of idol worship. In placing their trust in things other than God, they forsook their hope of steadfast love. By contrast, Jonah identified the LORD as the One who brings salvation and that he intends to sacrifice to Him “with the voice of thanksgiving” (Jonah 2:9). In the final verse, the LORD spoke to the fish and it vomited Jonah onto dry land, bringing resolution to the end of the first chapter in which the LORD appointed the fish to swallow him.

Despite being inside a fish, Jonah remained confident that the Lord would deliver him and that he would once again sacrifice at His temple. This he conveyed “with the voice of thanksgiving” (Jonah 2:9), indicating that he was likely singing. Granted, Jonah continued in rebellion and bad attitude in the remainder of book, but these actions of faith still demonstrate a heart toward God and the recognition of salvation belonging only to Him. Jonah was wayward and grumbly (much as we are), but God still used him. The power of our Lord is without equal, capable of employing imperfect people to achieve His perfect objective.

Scripture Journal Notes

Commentaries & Resources Used