Read: Jonah 1 & 2
But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights…Then the Lord spoke to the fish, and it spewed Jonah out upon the dry land. (Jonah 1:17 and 2:10, NRSV).
I’ve been waiting a long time for someone to ask me for my side of this story.
First, let me address the least important detail. WAS IT A FISH OR WAS IT A WHALE? I start with this because if I don’t, you’ll just obsess about it and get distracted. So, let’s get it out of the way, shall we?
The Bible calls me a “big fish.” Most people jump to the conclusion that I’m a whale since that’s the biggest “fish” anyone can call to mind. Technically, of course, a whale is a mammal not a fish, but no one seems to let that interfere with their assumptions. I would like to suggest that IT DOESN’T MATTER. In fact, the entire debate is a RED HERRING. (Sorry—I couldn’t resist!) My point is that it makes not a bit of difference to the story if I’m a whale or a fish, so I wish you’d all just move on. As I say, it’s a distraction.
Which brings me to my second point—also a distraction. I’m talking about all the fuss people make over whether a human being could survive for three days in the belly of a big fish. Now, far be it from me to doubt the miraculous powers of the Creator. I have full confidence that the Almighty could make this happen in a heartbeat. But must I remind you that IT’S A STORY? Honestly, just roll with it already. See where it takes you.
It takes me to my third point. (Finally, one I care about.) I WAS THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO JONAH WHEN HE GOT THROWN OVERBOARD. Nobody seems to recognize this. Now, I’ll grant you, being swallowed alive by a big fish is not what most people would consider to be a good thing. But in Jonah’s case, it was. It certainly beat the alternative. If I had not been instantly obedient to God’s command, Jonah would have been fish food. Oh…well, I guess he still was, but you know what I mean.
Which leads me to my next point—and another opportunity to use all caps. (What? You’re surprised that a big fish likes to write in all caps?) I WAS WAY MORE OBEDIENT TO GOD THAN JONAH WAS! In fact, everyone and everything in this story was more obedient that this sorry prophet was. Think about it: the sailors, the people of Nineveh, the cattle, the vine, and even the worm. (More on the worm next week. I understand she’s been dying to tell her side of this story, too.)
So, what’s the most important thing I want to say about this story? Just this: SOMETIMES GRACE SHOWS UP IN DISGUISE. Some bad things can turn out to be good things—or at least, less bad than we thought. Jonah seemed to understand that. I mean, he wasn’t the brightest light in the harbor, but even he had the sense to pray a prayer of thanksgiving when he found himself in my stomach. Some people may have thought that prayer was a bit premature, but I gave him a lot of credit for it. Anybody who can pray a prayer OF THANKSGIVING while swimming in my digestive juices deserves some respect.
Of course, like many religious types, he went on and on. So, it was something of a relief when God told me to vomit him up on shore. Remember that the next time someone invites you to pray. LONG-WINDED PRAYERS INDUCE INDIGESTION. You heard it here first.
Thanks for listening.
Ponder: Have you ever experienced grace in disguise? How? When? Why might we want to be careful about trying to comfort someone else by suggesting that God may be using their painful experience as a means of grace?
Pray: Thank you for your grace, O God, in whatever form it takes.