I WENT DOWN … THE EARTH WITH HER BARS WAS ABOUT ME FOR EVER

Perhaps no book in scripture has attracted the attention of scep­tics more than the little book of Jonah. On a natural level, and without the faith which assures the believer of its truth, the brief narrative appears no more than a fable, or at best an allegory to convey some moral teaching.

However, there is no doubt that the Lord Jesus accepted without question the historical accuracy of the Old Testament record as on two separate occasions He referred the arch-cynics of His day to the experience of Jonah, Matt. 12. 39-41; 16. 4. On both occasions, the reference was not simply to illustrate a point, but to establish the events of Jonah’s life as a clear sign to the nation of His own pathway through death and resurrection.

The moral lessons associated with Jonah’s actions are clear to see, as on three occasions in chapter 1 we read, ‘he went down’. In chapter 2, however, in acknowledgement of the folly which had brought him into such dire circumstances, he confessed, ‘I went down’, v. 6; but he was able to add, ‘yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption’.

The prayer of Jonah in chapter 2 is the tortured cry of a man in utter extremity, despairing of life, resigned to death. At such a time, as the water floods into his soul, the scriptures flood into his mind! The words from at least seven Psalms pour out of his heart as he sinks into the cold depths of the sea. Jonah does not question the dealings of God with him; he does not need to ask ‘why?’ as he is only too aware. Yet, strange as it may seem, he later does question the ways of God in bringing mercy and salva­tion to others, 4. 1.

In our consideration today we enter into the experience of Jonah as he approaches a point as near to physical death as it is possible to be. He is quite literally at the bottom of the sea! The seaweed has ensnared him, he is where the mountains rise from the sea bed; he feels trapped as if behind unyielding bars, ‘the gates of the grave’, Isa. 38. 10. But at that moment of extremity, deliverance comes and the prophet is set free. Well may Jonah cry, ‘Salvation is of the Lord’, v. 9.