Chapter 838 of 1163

JONAH 2

When God first called him, Jonah should have prayed for divine help in carrying out his mission. Then he would have escaped discipline and the need for crying out to God for deliverance. When it was almost too late, the prophet prayed; and God graciously forgave him and rescued him.

The Old Testament Jew looked toward the temple in Jerusalem when he prayed (vv. 4, 7; Dan. 6:10). Perhaps Jonah claimed the promise of 1 Kings 8:46–53, just as today we claim the promise of 1 John 1:9. God is merciful toward His children and ready to forgive (Ps. 86:5).

How did Jonah get into all that trouble? He forgot God and neglected prayer (v. 7) and believed lies (v. 8). He learned the hard way that he could not escape God’s will. But he was wise enough to run back to God and ask for forgiveness!

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