Something Fishy....
| But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. (Jonah1:17 ) |
On the other side, more conservatives argue frantically for the existence of the fish. They cite the story of James Bartley who was allegedly swallowed by a whale in the 1890's and was cut out of the stomach three days later, bleached white and blinded by gastric juices. (Some historians question the accuracy of the story...)
Let me go on record as saying I have no problem in believing that the God who created the galaxy and the wonder of DNA is perfectly capable of making it possible for Jonah to be gulped by a large fish. If all the majesty and deity of God's Son could be squeezed into Mary's womb and if death could be conquered by resurrection, then a fishy submarine is no problem for Him.
But the fish is not the be-all and end-all of the story.
Jonah's story is about stubborn pride that won't see, even when amazing things happen. We say there are "none so blind as those that will not see." Jonah had the glory of the temple, the amazing depth of theology that saw God as Lord of all, and now the fishmarine that graciously and mercifully takes him back to where he started. But still he does not see.
On the other side is a God who is patient and merciful. God provides the fish and in ch.4 He provides the plant, the worm and the scorching wind. This God would provide a way for Jonah to get back on track. This God would provide a plant to help Jonah understand grace. This God would love Jonah to see His heart.
That's what the fish is actually about.
