2. From the Depths of the Grave to the Womb of New Life
Jonah 1:17 – 2:10

3. From the Depths of the Grave to the Womb of New Life
From Death to Life
From the Depths of the Grave to the Womb of New Life
The Grave vs The Womb
Death vs New Life
God’s Grace

4. The Runaway Missionary
Jonah the prophet
- ref 2 Kings 14:25
- Jeroboam II
Nineveh – great city, full of wickedness
God’s call for Jonah

5. The Runaway Missionary
Jonah fled!

6. The Runaway Missionary
God sent the storm

7. The Prayer from the deep
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.
You hurled [threw] me into the depths,
into the very heart of the sea.
the currents swirled about me,
all your waves and breakers swept over me.
I said, “I have been banished
from your sight;
Yet I will look again
toward your holy temple.”

8. The Prayer from the deep
The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me.
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down.
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, LORD my God,
brought my life up from the pit.
“When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, LORD.
And my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.

9. The Prayer from the deep
“Those who cling to worthless idols
turn away from God’s love for them.
But I, with a song of thanksgiving,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
I will say, “Salvation comes from the LORD.”

10. The Prayer from the deep
Jonah was overwhelmed – nearly died
At the deep – Jonah turned to God
“Yet, I will look again toward your holy temple.”

11. The Prayer from the deep
“For as high as the heavens
are above the earth,
so great is his love
for those who fear Him.
As far as the east
is from the west
So far has he removed
our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103: 11-12

12. The Prayer from the deep
When we face desperate situations in our own lives …
Our turning point is …
turn back to God
look towards His direction for help

13. The Prayer from the deep
The big fish became a vehicle of rescue
In Hebrew:
“belly” can also mean “womb”

14. Unimaginable Rescue

15. Unimaginable Rescue
Vietnam War
Napalm strike

16. Unimaginable Rescue

17. New birth. Same calling.
Jonah was called again to preach to the Ninevites
Despite his experience of God’s grace, Jonah still holds onto his anger.

18. New birth. Same calling. “The LORD, the LORD,
the compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness,
maintaining love to the thousands,
and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”
Exodus 34:6-7a

19. New birth. Same calling.
Q: Where do we find the strength to love and to forgive?

20. Jonah and Christ Jonah - a sign that points toward Christ
- foreshadows what Christ accomplishes in His death and resurrection

21. Jonah and Christ On the cross - Christ defeated sin and death
- breaks the bondage of sin
loosens the grip of death
and all consequences of sin
So, we can say ‘YES’ to God

22. God’s call for us Q: Who are the Ninevites in your lives?
Q: Will you choose to say ‘Yes’ to God?

23. God’s call for us God asked Jonah: “Should I not be concerned?”
God did concern.
So, will you?