The story of Jonah is about a man who thinks his "will" is equal to, or superior to, God's will. Boy, was he ever wrong!
Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me." But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. ~Jonah 1:1-3
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. ~Jonah 1:17
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ~Matthew 12:40
After Jonah's ordeal, he got his mind right and did as God commanded. How often have we tried to flee from God and needed to get our mind right?
Critics of the Bible often point out what they consider to be errors or contradictions in the text. For example, in the book of Jonah the word fish is used. In Matthew the word whale is a poor translation of Hebrew to Greek to Latin Vulgate,
and eventually English in 1611. Fish and whales are two different species.
The "error" can be quickly cleared up by learning the correct definition of words. Translators sometimes change the original language to a word or phrase in an effort to give the reader "a clearer understanding".
The "great fish" the Lord prepared could swallow a man. In addition, the creature either did not have a digestive system or else Jonah was protected from the creature. How was Jonah able to breathe under water in the belly of a fish? Only God and Jonah know for sure and I will take their word for it.
Even Bible stories for children perpetuate the myth of a whale instead of the accurate description of a great fish. These mistranslations of Scripture keeps people ignorant of the truth and the beauty of God's word.
Churchainty teaches that man has "free will" which is obviously not true... ask Jonah. Man has free choice, but not free will. You can run from God, but you can't hide.
There is a moral to this story. Jonah hated the people of Nineveh and wanted them to be punished. Humans are often upset at
God's forgiveness, of kindness towards, and grace given to those they
think deserve punishment for their sins.
But humans are rarely upset at the idea that God
will eternally roast folks in an "ever-burning hell." These reactions are part of the flesh
nature, which go away as the mind is renewed and the heart purified and
Divine nature takes root.
Churchanity teaches that God is mean and cruel and will punish the wicked forever. The Bible teaches just the opposite. God does not seek retribution, He seeks reconciliation. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”
~ Romans 14:11
The conversion of Saul of Tarsus is another example of God's love and forgiveness. God turned an enemy into a friend. ~ Acts 9
If you want to know the original meaning and use of words in the Bible, a Strong's Concordance can be most helpful.
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