(a) Discuss the experiences of Jonah in the belly of the fish and in Nineveh. (b) What two lessons did he learn from the experiences?

Answer Details

(a) The experiences of Jonah in the belly of the fish and in Nineveh

In the belly of the fish (Jonah 1:17 - 2:10): After Jonah fled from God and was thrown into the sea, the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow him, and he was in its belly three days and three nights. There Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He confessed that in his distress he had cried to God and God had heard him. He described his sinking into the deep, the waters closing over him and weeds wrapping his head, and how his life was brought down to the pit. He remembered the LORD and his prayer came to God in the holy temple. He declared that those who cling to worthless idols forsake mercy, and he vowed to sacrifice and pay his vows, confessing that "Salvation is of the LORD." Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

In Nineveh (Jonah 3): The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, telling him to go to Nineveh and preach. This time he obeyed. Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey across. Jonah entered and proclaimed, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." The people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. The king rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, sat in ashes, and decreed that man and beast should fast and turn from their evil ways, hoping that God might relent. When God saw that they turned from their evil way, He relented from the disaster He had threatened.

(b) Two lessons Jonah learned

• That no one can successfully flee from the presence of God; God's purpose will prevail.
• That God is merciful and gracious, ready to forgive and spare all who genuinely repent, including even the heathen nations.