The Noontimes

A Prayer from the Belly of the Whale


Wednesday, December 21, 2011 – Jonah 2  – A Prayer from the Belly of the Whale

Jonah
Yesterday we reflected on this short but crucial portion of Jonah’s story; why does he offer a prayer of thanksgiving when he finds himself devoured by a whale?  Read the December 20 Noontime and then join Jonah in his prayer . . .

Out of our distress we cry to you . . . the waters swirl about us, threatening our lives . . . the abyss envelops us . . . the soul faints within and we remember the Lord. 

As we near the coming holiday we have much to accomplish.  Some of our chores we do gladly; others weigh heavily on us.  Good and wise God, help us to sort out the trivial from the real as we struggle to balance work and play.

As we approach the festival of joy we continue to be haunted by old angers and anxieties; we might relish this turmoil or we may want to cast it off.  Good and patient God, lead us to the understanding that what looks like death is life, what seems to be the end is a new beginning. 

Carlo Antonio Tavella: Jonah and the Whale
As we move toward the celebration of hope we have sorrows and fears; we may be managing to stay afloat in this sea of turmoil or we may be sinking into its cold depths.  Good and compassionate God, remind us that living for a time in the belly of the whale means that in the end . . . we have the opportunity to draw ever closer to you. 

Our prayer reaches God . . . we give God resounding praise . . . we are delivered by the hands of the Lord. 

Amen. 

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Published by

Sarah Myers

Responses

  1. Grace Avatar
    Grace

    Today I was reading my Bible about Jonah. I was talking about it with my friend since the King James version was harder for me to understand, so I decided to look into what my grandmother had to say as well (: I liked you post from the previous day which kind of explained why Jonah was where he was. But I do not understand why he was so mad that God saved the people. Why would Jonah just want to sit and watch a city die and be punished. Why did Jonah seem to focus all of his anger on the gourd plant? Why would God give him the gourd plant and then take it away? Was God helping Jonah’s wish to die become a reality? The last verse of the KJ bible does not make sense to me. Please help me understand (: Xoxoxo G

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    1. Sarah Myers Avatar
      Sarah Myers

      You ask a number of good questions! First, we remember that Scripture is Jesus speaking with us, so when we have questions that is good. It means that we are listening for God to speak to us in a way we understand. Second, we remember that Jonah is the prophet Jesus mentions (Matthew 12:40) when he speaks about his own exodus form this world and resurrection from the dead. Third, you might like THE MESSAGE translation if you find the King James version hard to follow from time to time. Use the scripture link in the post and see what you think. Fourth, Jonah may be angry for a number of reasons. Nineveh is the Assyrian capital and these folks were known to be quite cruel in warfare – and they were Israel’s proclaimed enemy. Or, he may have been so surprised that God forgives these people that his sense of justice is offended. This is how I think of Jonah – as someone who is stunned when he sees how good God is, because this indicates that we might need to “up our game” and forgive our enemies. And finally, Jonah had thought these people would be destroyed and now he is “wrong”. Some of us react this same way – like the brother in the Prodigal Son story (Luke 15:11-32). Jonah was running AWAY from these people and God asks him to RETURN. Scary! Fifth, the gourd plant portion of the story is typical of Old Testament thinking that God makes things happen in order to punish us or to make himself look good (for example, he hardens Pharaoh’s heart in Exodus 9:12); but it seems to me – especially since Jesus talks about this prophecy directly – that there is a bigger point here. The gourd plant grows up and protects Jonah when he thinks he is alone, so perhaps Jonah begins to rely on the plant more than he relies on God. Rather than ask why God takes something away, we might reflect on God’s providence and goodness when we least expect it. Jonah likely focuses his fury on the plant because he has nowhere else to put his anger. Jonah’s anger at the gourd reminds me of Job’s frustration with God about God’s plan. Instead of answering the way we want God to answer, God says, “Did I not make the universe?” and so on. So . . . here is THE MESSAGE version of the last verse: “So, why can’t I likewise change what I feel about Nineveh from anger to pleasure, this big city of more than 120,000 childlike people who don’t yet know right from wrong, to say nothing of all the innocent animals?” Taking all of this in, we can say 1) reflecting on Scripture and asking questions is a wonderful way to dialog with God. 2) Jonah brings us an opportunity to reflect on how WE might react if we were in his place. 3) We can not out-generous God. Generosity, forgiveness, mercy and compassion ARE God – and this is what Jesus tells us when he comes to live among us. Jesus wants us to know that God is so good, so surprising, and so loving while abiding with us constantly that we cannot imagine this unless – and until – we reflect. God – like Jesus – wants us to think and act for ourselves. God – like Jesus – wants us to discover the depth, breadth and width of love that sustains each of us each minute of each day. This is what I take away from Jonah. Hope this helps! If not, let me know ❤ ❤ ❤ N

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