Jonah

Jonah 1-4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jonah%201-4&version=NIV)

For the past several weeks I have been doing a study on the book of Jonah and through my studying I found many interesting things. One of the examples is when Jonah is praying to God from inside the fish. He says, "In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry." He then goes on to say, (2:3) "You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. (2:5) The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. (2:6) To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God." After reading this I realized that it appears, according to the text, that he was drowning before the fish swolllowed him. Jonah was probably close to death before God saved him.

Also in Chapter 4 when God provides a vine for Jonah to protect him from the sun. God, then commands a worm to kill the vine. (4:8) Now, with no shade for Jonah, a "scorching" wind comes from the east and the sun "blazes" on his head so that he grows faint. There is some proof that it could have been a sirocco (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirocco), but I'm not positive. I'll have to do a deep search on that to confrim it.

I find it interesting how Jonah, on several occasions, came either close to death or became very miserable. And even in the end he still had a hard heart. As there is a reason for every single word in the bible, I think there is a purpose for this book. I think that this book was written and included in our bible because we can learn from Jonah's mistakes and learn that one way or another God's plan will be fulfilled. But it would be a whole lot easier on us if we just listen and obey.

-Josh