Jonah the Reluctant Prophet ∙∙
As my life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. – Jonah 2:7
Jonah 2:1-10
1 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish.
2 He said, I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and LORD, you heard me!
3 You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves.
7 When my life was ebbing away, I called out to the LORD.
9 I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone.
10 Then the LORD ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.
The Origin of Skid Row
The original Skid Row was a neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles, covering over 50 city blocks just east of the city center. Over time, the term “skid row” evolved to describe areas in urban environments where people who are “on the skids” tend to reside. This phrase has its origins in logging terminology, where “skids” referred to greased paths used to slide logs down to a river. Loggers would wait at the bottom for transportation back to the logging camp.
Eventually, the term came to symbolize places where individuals with no money or purpose gathered, becoming a generic term in North America for depressed urban areas.
Jonah: A Prophet “On the Skids”
Jonah found himself “on the skids,” both spiritually and physically. Sometimes, it is only in the depths of darkness that we begin to see the light. Despair often leads to repentance, and Jonah’s journey into the belly of the great fish was no exception. Sliding down the slippery skids of rebellion, Jonah found himself in total darkness, both literally and figuratively. It was in this place of despair that his hardened heart began to soften.
Jonah believed he could rebel and defy the Father and escape without consequences. He thought he could flee from God’s presence. He simply forgot the One with Whom he was dealing. Worse, Jonah ignored the Father’s explicit warning about rebellion and stubbornness. While Jonah may never have considered practicing witchcraft or worshiping idols, his actions were just as serious.
1 Samuel 15:23: “Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.”
Disobedience to God’s Word is a grave matter, and not to be taken lightly. How much worse is it to disobey the Father’s instructions when He speaks directly to you? Jonah failed to grasp this until the fish swallowed him. In the darkness, he finally saw the light. His near-death experience brought about a transformation, and he began to understand the far-reaching consequences of his stubborn resistance to God’s direction. Jonah’s disobedience had caused collateral damage far beyond what he could have imagined.
Jonah’s Cry for Deliverance
Jonah 2:2: “I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and LORD, you heard me!”
Jonah’s circumstances were dire. Trapped in the hot, suffocating darkness of the fish’s belly, he was overcome with fear, anguish, and despair. Yet, in this moment of utter hopelessness, the Father’s plan began to unfold. Jonah’s memories stirred, and he recalled the Father’s merciful and compassionate nature. Despite his rebellion, Jonah gained confidence that God would deliver him.
In this moment of clarity, Jonah repented. He turned his heart fully to the Lord, acknowledging his failure and submitting to God’s will.
A Second Chance
Jonah was called to be a prophet, and now, at last, he was willing to serve the Father wholeheartedly. Though issues in his heart would still need to be addressed later in the story, Jonah was ready to obey.
Jonah 3:1-3: “Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time. ‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh and deliver the message I have given you.’ This time Jonah obeyed the LORD’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.”
The Father, in His mercy, offered Jonah a second chance. Despite Jonah’s initial rebellion, God’s faithfulness remained steadfast. Jonah’s story reminds us that when the Father calls, our response should be immediate and willing: “Here I am, what would you have your servant do?”
This response is found throughout Scripture in response to the Father’s call:
- Genesis 22:1: “Here I am.”
- Exodus 3:4: “Here I am.”
- 1 Samuel 3:4: “Here I am.”
- Isaiah 6:8: “Here I am. Send me.”
- Acts 9:10: “Here I am, Lord.”
REFLECT & PRAY
The Father is a God of second chances. He never gives up on us, even when we falter. His faithfulness is unwavering, as Paul reminds us: 2 Timothy 2:13: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”
Jonah’s story is a powerful reminder of God’s mercy and patience. Even when we resist or stray, the Father lovingly calls us back, offering us the opportunity to turn to Him and fulfill His purpose for our lives.
Father, I see a lot of Jonah in myself. I notice his stubbornness and rebellion in my own heart. Thank You for being kind and merciful to me. Encourage me to serve You wholeheartedly, and help me respond to Your call with faith and obedience.
INSIGHT
The Nature of Our Fallen State
In our natural, fallen state, humanity is inherently selfish. We are driven by a desire to please ourselves, prioritizing personal gain and comfort above all else. In contrast, the Father operates from a place of pure and total love. His lovingkindness compels Him to reach out to His children, not because of anything we have done to deserve it, but because of His grace and mercy. His ultimate goal is to transform us, shaping us to become more like Him. Jonah’s journey serves as a reflection of our own spiritual journey, highlighting the tension between human selfishness and divine love.
2 Corinthians 5:14-18: “The love of Christ controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”
“So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time, we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.”
The Jonah Within
Leslie Allen insightfully observes, “A Jonah lurks in every Christian heart, whispering his insidious message of smug prejudice, empty traditionalism, and exclusive solidarity. And we grasp the message of the book only when we eliminate the Jonah within us.”
Jonah’s story isn’t just about a reluctant prophet; it’s a reflection of the struggles that every child of the King faces. His resistance to God’s call, prejudice, and self-centeredness are traits that sadly appear in our own lives. Recognizing and confronting these tendencies is crucial for spiritual growth and aligning with the Father’s will.
Deuteronomy 30:19: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life so that you may live.”
Harmony with the Father
When our lives are out of harmony with the Father, we are out of tune and live in discord. Instead of the melody of peace and purpose, our souls are filled with noise and chaos. This dissonance reflects a life disconnected from God’s will. However, when we return to the Father and walk in step with Him, our hearts are filled with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, creating a symphony of joy and worship.
Ephesians 5:19: “Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and make music to the Lord in your hearts.”
At times, the Father may allow dissonance to enter our lives. These moments of discomfort and challenge are not without purpose. They are part of an eternal blueprint, a divine plan established before the foundations of the Earth. While we may not understand all the reasons behind these trials, we can trust in the Father’s character. As Richison wisely notes, “The Father is too good to do wrong, and He is too wise to make a mistake.”
The Promise of Blessing
Even in the midst of trials, the Father’s blessings remain steadfast. His plans for us are rooted in His goodness and faithfulness. As we align our lives with His will, we can trust in His promise to bless us and guide us into a future filled with hope and purpose.
Haggai 2:19: “Yet from this day on, I will bless you.”
A New Beginning
Every day is an opportunity for a fresh start. As we step into tomorrow, we are reminded that it is the first day of the rest of our lives. The Father’s mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness endures forever. Let us embrace the journey, trusting in His love and walking in harmony with His eternal plan.
Jonah’s journey illustrates the transformative power of repentance and the unwavering faithfulness of God. His story reminds us that even in our darkest moments, the Father’s mercy is available, offering us a second chance to walk in His will. Let us take heart in knowing that God’s plans for us are good, and His faithfulness endures forever.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 9-1-2
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 