17 And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
1 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying, “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. 3 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. 4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ 5 The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head 6 at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. 7 When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. 8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!” 10 And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. —Jonah 1:17-2:10
Introduction: Scripture contains countless examples of individuals who walk in disobedience and experience God’s rugged grace. A grace that is committed and introduces new opportunities for repentance in order that His people would return to Him. We tend to think of God’s pursuit as tender. While God is tender, He is also serious about rebellion, which we see in the story of Jonah. Jonah chapter two provides a powerful example of God’s grace and the power of prayer.
1. Jonah is Swallowed (1:17)
Don’t get caught up on looking so hard at the
Prayer has
2. Jonah prays (2:1-9)
- a. Jonah prayed in distress (v.2)
Acknowledging our
- b. Jonah knows God put him there yet hopes to dwell with God (v.3-4)
- c. Jonah acknowledges his impending doom and God’s mercy (v.5-7)
i. Down, down, down, down, up
“We must admit not only
but also that we ourselves from them.” —Tim Keller
- d. Jonah wrestles with self-righteousness (v.8-9)
i. Trusting vain idols
ii. Forsaking hesed (חֶ סֶ ד )
iii. Hebrews 13:5-6
It is possible to know
There is a distinction between simply
iv. Salvation Belongs to The Lord/Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. —Ephesians 2:8-9
3. Jonah is spared by God’s grace
- a. The Lord is in control (v.10)
- b. The Lord places Jonah in position to obey
The Gospel is God coming after us, not us coming after Him. God is not just after us to
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
How is your prayer life? How is prayer changing your heart, mind, and soul?
What are you fighting for control over in your life that you need to surrender to The Lord?
Spend time praying as a group remembering God’s grace, mercy, and sovereignty over our lives.