Jonah 2 – Jonah’s Prayer

Jonah’s Prayer
Jonah 2:1-10

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly,

And said, I cried by reason of my affliction to the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and you heard my voice.

For you had cast me into the deep, in the middle of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all your billows and your waves passed over me.

Then I said, I am cast out of your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.

The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.

I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet have you brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.

When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in to you, into your holy temple.

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

But I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah on the dry land.

After reading the tale of prophet Jonah, I was moved by God’s love! The people’s wickedness in Nineveh had come up before God. Jonah rejected the call of God because he was not willing to see God save these people who committed many evil deeds. It can be seen that man is selfish and has no love for others while God’s love is selfless. He sent Jonah to Nineveh again to convey His will. Finally, the people in Nineveh had truly repented and gained God’s tolerance and mercy. From this we can see that God has devoted tremendous His efforts to mankind. God is unwilling to destroy humanity as long as there’s half a chance. He hopes mankind can continue to exist.