Wednesday, 30 September 2020

Jonah Was a Prophet, Part 5

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Part 5: ADONAI Responds with Miracles

As chapter 2 winds up, we find Jonah's deliverance being completed - by being vomited by the great fish onto dry land. What we may miss in the miracle of the great fish, though, is this is not the first miracle the Father performed to bring about Jonah's redemption.

Up to this point in the book, over the course of a mere two chapters, we have already seen six miracles! Let us take a look: 1 G-d caused a violent storm (1:4), 2 He had the lot fall on Jonah (1:7), 3 He calmed the sea when Jonah was thrown overboard (1:15), 4 He commanded the fish to swallow Jonah (2:1, TLV or 1:17), 5 He melted the disobedient prophet's heart (2: 8, TLV or 2:7), 6 He had the fish transport him safely (2:11, TLV or 2:10).

Think of all the ways G-d has worked in your life. I believe that you are here today because G-d is not done with you and, in fact, He has a wonderful plan in store for your life, if you will submit to Him. G-d will go to great lengths to get your attention because He loves you.

In addition to the six miracles G-d has already performed in this story, there's an even greater one that the story of Jonah points to. In Matthew 12:38-40, the Pharisees are demanding a miraculous sign from Messiah Yeshua to validate His ministry.

"Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, 'Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.' He answered, 'A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.'" (Matthew 28:38-40)

There are many lessons for us in the story of Jonah, but the most important of all is how it points to Messiah Yeshua. Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a giant fish, Yeshua was crucified and placed in the grave for three days and three nights. But death could not hold Him and He rose from the dead on the third day. This is the King of all miracles! Because He rose from the dead, we who believe in Messiah - and Messiah alone - for salvation will also be raised from the dead.

Scripture reveals Messiah Yeshua as our Redeemer. He has purchased us, by giving His life for us, so that we can belong to Him.

"He predestined us for adoption as sons through Messiah Yeshua, in keeping with the good pleasure of His will - to the glorious praise of His grace, with which He favored us through the One He loves! In Him we have redemption through His blood - the removal of trespasses - in keeping with the richness of His grace that He lavished on us."(Ephesians 1:5-8a)

And that my friends is the greatest Miracle of them all ... A Loving Father's response to a Child's Repentance!