17 Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17
Many question whether or not Jonah could have really been swallowed by a great fish that morning. Is it really that impossible to imagine God creating a fish large enough, even if it was a special creation only for that exact moment? We don’t know what kind of fish this was. Some speculate it was a species of whale, others say it was a large fish know as the “sea-dog.” All we can say for certain is that it was a lifeboat fish.
There is a story of a whaler named James Bartley, who in 1891 reportedly fell into the sea while harpooning a large sperm whale. When the whale was killed and dissected, Bartley was found in the whale’s stomach, unconscious but alive. While some have argued that the incident was carefully investigated and true, the widow of the ship’s captain denied that it ever happened. It may be questioned if the story of James Bartley is true or not, but certainly the story of Jonah is true because Jesus said it was true. In Matthew 12:40 we read that Jesus said “Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish.”
Though Jonah was a rebellious, resistant, and believer, God was not finished with him yet – so the LORD preserved his life. God could have rescued Jonah in any number of ways. He chose this specific way because of the effect it would have on Jonah’s heart.Apparently, Jonah did nothing for three days and three nights in the belly of the fish; it was only after that period was over that he prayed the prayer following.
Some have wondered if Jonah spent the time sulking, and finally decided he had to repent fully and seek God – perhaps this was the case. However, the starting point of the prayer in Jonah 2 seems to show that Jonah had cried out to God all the time. The prayer of Jonah 2 came after Jonah received assurance from God that he would be delivered.
A truth confronts us. God will use anything to turn our hearts, and God will let us cry sometimes. Jonah cried and sulked in the belly of that fish. There is no doubt in my mind. While scripture may not specifically indicate that, my human experience almost certainly solidifies that truth.
When is the last time you have really let yourself cry? Compartmentalization is normal in our western culture, but Jonah in the belly could not compartmentalize his sins any longer. This is where his “rock bottom” was located. But, what if Jonah had cried out to God before this moment? Instead of sleeping under the ship, what if he had been crying to God then? Would he still have been swallowed? Don’t let yourself be confused by the events in your life. Don’t throw your fear to the back of your mind. Let it sulk. Let it cause you to cry out to God. For God, is the only one who can always answer and has promised to answer through Jesus Christ.