Ask any child growing up in a Christian home, “Who is Jonah in the Bible?” They’ll tell you that he’s the guy who got swallowed by a whale.
Well, first of all, we don’t really know it was a whale. The Bible says, “huge fish” (Jonah 1:17), using the same Hebrew word for “great” that appears 4 times previously in the chapter.
The Lord told Jonah, “Go to the great city of Nineveh” (Jonah 1:1). When he sailed the opposite direction, the Lord “sent a great wind on the sea” and it brewed up “a great storm” (Jonah 1:4,12). When the sailors learned about his God, “the men greatly feared the Lord” (Jonah 1:16).
The book of Jonah purposefully uses the word “great” several times to catch your attention.
But there is a sixth “great” in Jonah chapter one that is so great, this one doesn’t even need to use the word “great.” Greater than the huge fish, greater than the storm, greater than the wickedness of Nineveh or the selfish interests of the sailors … is the great and awesome God. The Lord.
His mercy for Nineveh and for Jonah is greater than all of the other greats put together. Nothing surpasses how merciful God is in his grace for sinners. Nothing is greater, not even your sin, your past, your fears or storms.
PRAYER: God of Jonah, be my God and Lord, too. When the great wickedness of this world makes me afraid, or the great storms of life threaten me, let me believe that you are greater. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Read the book of Jonah, chapter one. In what way are you like Jonah?