Topical Bible: God: Preserver: Jonah

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In the narrative of Jonah, God is vividly portrayed as the Preserver, demonstrating His sovereign ability to protect and sustain life even amidst human disobedience and natural calamities. The Book of Jonah, a prophetic text in the Old Testament, provides a compelling account of God's preservation through the experiences of the prophet Jonah.

Jonah's Commission and Flight

God's initial command to Jonah was to go to Nineveh and proclaim judgment against it due to its wickedness (Jonah 1:1-2). However, Jonah chose to flee from the presence of the Lord, boarding a ship bound for Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). Despite Jonah's attempt to escape, God’s preserving hand was evident as He orchestrated events to bring Jonah back to His divine purpose.

The Storm and the Great Fish

As Jonah fled, the Lord sent a great storm upon the sea, threatening the ship and its crew (Jonah 1:4). The sailors, recognizing the supernatural nature of the storm, eventually cast Jonah into the sea at his own suggestion, believing it would calm the tempest (Jonah 1:12-15). Here, God’s preservation is twofold: He calms the storm, saving the sailors, and He appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah, preserving his life in the depths of the sea (Jonah 1:17).

Jonah's Prayer and Deliverance

Inside the belly of the fish, Jonah prays to the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and expressing gratitude for his preservation (Jonah 2:1-9). Jonah’s prayer reflects a deep understanding of God’s power to save, even from the brink of death. After three days and nights, God commands the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land, further demonstrating His role as Preserver (Jonah 2:10).

Nineveh's Repentance and God's Mercy

Upon receiving a second commission, Jonah obeys and goes to Nineveh, proclaiming the message of impending judgment (Jonah 3:1-4). The people of Nineveh, from the greatest to the least, believe God, repent, and turn from their evil ways (Jonah 3:5-9). In response to their repentance, God relents from the disaster He had threatened, preserving the city from destruction (Jonah 3:10).

Jonah's Anger and God's Compassion

Jonah's reaction to Nineveh's preservation is one of anger, as he struggles with God's mercy towards the repentant city (Jonah 4:1-3). God uses a plant, a worm, and a scorching wind to teach Jonah about His compassion and concern for all His creation (Jonah 4:6-11). Through this lesson, God reveals His desire to preserve life and extend mercy, even to those who seem undeserving.

Theological Implications

The account of Jonah underscores the theme of God as the Preserver, highlighting His sovereignty over nature, His ability to save, and His willingness to extend mercy. God's preservation is not limited to physical deliverance but extends to spiritual restoration, as seen in the repentance of Nineveh. This narrative invites believers to trust in God's preserving power and to recognize His compassion and grace towards all humanity.

Nave's Topical Index

Jonah 1:17
Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... from the history of the Israelites, of Jonah, Jacob, and ... he is also a Governor and
Preserver, and that ... that the world was created by God, immediately descends ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm

From this Perfection of Our Restored Bodies Will Flow the ...
... where will you find adversities in the presence of God? ... might be to the Jews; [7735]
that Jonah was swallowed by ... and that He shows Himself the preserver of the ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter lviii from this perfection of.htm

The Careless Sinner Awakened.
... Arise and call upon thy God." (Jonah 1:6) Do you doubt ... present, present with you
at this moment; even God your creator and preserver, God the creator ...
/.../chapter ii the careless sinner.htm

The Christian's Book
... the revelation of God as Creator, Preserver, Lawgiver, Judge ... This training time shows
God's high standards in the ... 1 and 2 Chronicles, Psalms, Jonah, Amos, Hosea ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study vi the christians book.htm

The Service Common to Two and Many Nuns.
... the hades; I will pray with Jonah: Out of ... to be the live intercession and powerful
preserver, the extinguishing ... forgiveness, you did win of God their remission ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxiii the service common.htm

The Heresies Attacked by the Apostles.
... creatures by Christ, the same their Preserver and Legislator ... to me as enemies."
[3250] And God reproaches Jehoshaphat ... him and with Ahaziah, by Jonah the prophet ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii the heresies attacked by.htm

Articles of Religion of the Reformed Episcopal Church in America. ...
... everlasting; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker and Preserver of
all things ... the oracles of God, but it is itself the very oracles of God. ... Jonah,. ...
/.../articles of religion of the.htm

The Service Common to the Holy Angels and Other Bodiless Ones.
... O all-spotless one, who broughtest forth the Preserver of life ... Thou hast, O Lord,
settled Jonah alone in the whale ... God-beseemingly hast Thou, O Lord, by Thy word ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter iv the service common.htm

Brought up from the Horrible Pit
... He was brought up, like Jonah who went to die ... As Justifier, Preserver, and Perfecter
of His people, He stands ... of the covenant, on the decree of God, on the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 28 1882/brought up from the horrible.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... he, I say, was consequently in agony and distress from many wounds; like Jonah and
David ... he discovered a remedy for the evil: and sought for aid from God and man ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm