Jonah // Purpose and Process

Jonah 1:11-12 NASB 1995 11 So they said to him, “What should we do to you that the sea may become calm for us?”— for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. 12 He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.” 

Jonah 1:15-16 NASB 1995 15 So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. 

Jonah 1:17 NASB 1995 17 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights. 

1. The SWALLOWING was to SAVE.

2. The RESTRICTION was to RESTORE. 

Jonah 2:1-9 NASB 1995 1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish, 2 and he said, “I called out of my distress to the Lord, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice. 3 “For You had cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the current engulfed me. All Your breakers and billows passed over me. 4 “So I said, ‘I have been expelled from Your sight. Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ 5 “Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me, Weeds were wrapped around my head. 6 “I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, But You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. 7 “While I was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, And my prayer came to You, Into Your holy temple. 8 “Those who regard vain idols forsake their faithfulness, 9 But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord.” 

3. The PURGING was to PROVIDE. 

Jonah 2:10 NASB 10 Then the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah up onto the dry land. 

1 Peter 4:12-13; 19 ESV 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 

Jonah 3:1-3a NASB 1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.” 3a So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. 

1. The SWALLOWING was to SAVE 

2. The RESTRICTION was to RESTORE 

3. The PURGING was to PROVIDE