Jonah and the Great Whale
1:17 to 2:10
By focusing on the sailors in 1:16, we lose sight of Yonah. As far as they are concerned there can be no hope of his surviving the raging sea (1:14). ADONAI, however, has not yet finished with the reluctant prophet. And by means of a great whale in scene three God snatches him from a watery grave.
Many Bible scholars say that the word in the Greek New Testament translated whale (Greek: ketos) could be just as accurately translated simply huge fish or sea monster. However, in defending God’s Word, it is not really necessary to rule out the possibility that this Greek word which may mean whale actually does mean whale. There are two reasons for this: First, Some research scholars tell us there is a species of whale which not only has a mouth large enough for a man to get in, but also has a throat large enough for the whale to swallow the man. And second, even if there is no species of whale today with a throat large enough for a man to pass through, God could have certainly prepared a whale with a mouth and throat large enough for Jonah to go right on down to the whale’s stomach, because the Bible tells us that the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah (Jonah 1:17). Thus, we should realize that it was a greater miracle for God to resurrect Jonah than it was for Him to create or appoint a whale, which could swallow the runaway prophet. For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37). Therefore, the great fish of Jonah was probably a sperm whale (Catodon Macrocephalus).
It is important to understand that the whale here is not the hero of the story, neither is it its villain. The book is not even about a whale. The whale is among the props and does not occupy the star’s dressing room. Let us distinguish between the essentials and the incidentals. Incidentals are the whale, the plant, the east wind, the ship, and Nineveh. The essentials are ADONAI and Jonah . . . God and man.
Dear Mighty and Loving Heavenly Father, Praise Your love that knows how to guide Your wayward child back to you, so he or she can be forgiven. Now all discipline seems painful at the moment – not joyful. But later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11). Praise You for being the means of forgiveness so those who love You can enter your holy heaven. He made the One who knew no sin to become a sin offering on our behalf so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (Second Corinthians 5:21). We love You and want to follow You, for You always want what is best for Your child. In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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