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OUT OF THE BELLY OF SHEOL

Text: Jonah 2
8 October 2017

THE STORY OF JONAH

The story of the prophet is illustrative in more ways than one. The Lord Jesus Himself made reference to Jonah as an illustration of how He will be resurrected (Matthew 12:39-40).

THE PRAYER OF JONAH

The prayer of Jonah is worth looking at carefully.

I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction,

And He answered me.

Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,

And You heard my voice.     Jonah 2:2

  1. Jonah

a) He was a prophet of God

b) But when he was sent to speak in Nineveh

i)  He became reluctant

ii) He went on to become a rebellious and disobedient prophet

  1. My affliction

a) He tried to run away from God

b) He went onboard a ship that was going in the opposite direction of Nineveh

c) God sent a storm and then a great fish who swallowed him

  1. The belly of Sheol

a) Jonah compared his situation to Sheol

b) This word “Sheol” was a description of the grave, the place of the dead

c) Jonah knew that if God would not deliver him he would indeed be truly dead

  1. Jonah prayed

a) That was the only resort left to him

b) He cried out to God

i)  In his affliction

ii) In desperation

A GREAT AND MERCIFUL GOD

God heard the prayer of Jonah and answered him. The Lord spoke to the fish and Jonah escaped certain death!

Once again God sent him to Nineveh. This time Jonah obeyed. He had learned a significant lesson. His prayer to God included these words.

But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving;

I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.     Jonah 2:9

Jonah’s deliverance was like being made alive all over again. He was going to pay what he had vowed. He would serve the Lord as He directed!