The Story of Jonah and the Giant Fish (Jonah 1-4)

Today’s Bible Story begins with a man praying from an unusual place. His name was Jonah, and he was praying from inside the belly of a giant fish. How did he get there? He got there because he disobeyed God. Jonah was a prophet, and God told him to go to a wicked city called Nineveh and warn the people that God’s judgment was about to fall upon them because of their many sins. Jonah did not like the people of Nineveh, and he tried to run away from what God had called him to do. He got on a ship that would take him to a different place, but a great storm came up while he was at sea. It got so bad the ship was in danger of sinking. When the people learned that God sent the storm because Jonah was running away from God’s call, they threw him overboard. As soon as Jonah hit the water the storm stopped, and there was a great calm. That was good for the people on the ship but not for Jonah because a giant fish soon came by and swallowed him whole. Jonah lived inside the belly of that fish for three days and three nights. He had to be a miserable, and he prayed for God’s help and mercy. Did God answer his prayer? Yes, the Bible says the fish vomited Jonah right up on the ground. What do you think Jonah did after God delivered him? You are right. He went straight to Nineveh and preached the message God gave him. He told the people Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days because of their many sins, but when they repented God forgave them and spared their city. I’m glad God gave Jonah a second chance to obey him, and I’m glad God forgave the people of Nineveh when they repented of their sins? I think we should all be glad that our God is a merciful God. Don’t you?