Voyage to Faith

A poem is inserted into the middle of the narration of the biblical book called Jonah. He seems to sing to us this part of the story, as though something wonderful has occurred. And something wonderful has occurred. Jonah discovers salvation by grace through faith. (Eph 2:8-9)

Jonah tells us that he is in distress. I imagine so. If I was in a submarine that sank to the bottom of the ocean and had no communications, you can bet I’d be in distress and would call out to God. I imagine some fairly devout atheists would do the same in such a situation. Now, I don’t suppose Jonah was surprised to hear himself crying out to God but I bet he was surprised, since he had run from God and now was even further away (at the bottom of the sea), to hear God respond. “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me.” (Jon 2:1)

By Jon 2:4, Jonah tells us he has been driven from God’s sight. Three things leap to mind. First, he ran from God, for cryin’ out loud! Second, Sheol must seem like it is very far away if he thinks God cannot see him. Or perhaps he thinks he’s such a rotten sinner that God can’t stand the sight of him. Third, God did indeed drive Jonah further away than he’d already run. Okay, you like to hide in the belly of a ship? Alrighty then, let’s see how the belly of a big fish suits you!

Jonah seems like the common churchman to me. God has something for him to do and he runs away. He skirts about the edges of faith but doesn’t come into the circle of intimate fellowship. It’s like a family member who stays out on the front porch but never comes inside for a meal or conversation in the living room. After awhile of this stranger living on your porch, you might chase him further away. Get off my porch! And God does just that but with different intentions. He wants Jonah to be in distress so he will talk to him.

And it worked. By the second half of verse four (Jon 2:4), something wonderful has happened. Though Jonah is at the bottom of the sea, he says, “Yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.” The temple is where God dwells with his people and Jonah wanted to be there with him. That desire only comes by having faith in a gracious God. Jonah believed that, even though he had wronged God—disobeyed him—that God still wanted him back. Jonah chose to be one of God’s many prodigal sons. (Luk 15:11-32)

God will give us distress and trial; he will discipline us to “drive” us back to himself.