Jonah’s Fast - Jonah 1:17

 

Sermon - Jonah’s Fast

Jonah 1:17

O beloved ones who desire to fast! May this teaching on fasting deeply fill your inner being! Amen.

Today, I am sharing the story of Jonah — his personal story, his fasting experience, and its biblical significance. I have already spoken about Moses’ and Elijah’s forty-day fasts. Jonah, however, fasted for three days in the belly of a fish.

1. Jonah’s Repentance in the Fish’s Belly

Jonah’s realization was: “Only if I am punished will these people be saved.” That was the repentance he experienced. When someone sins and then repents, God forgives. The fish that swallowed Jonah was a great creature — likely a whale. It weighed and was specially prepared by God. Ordinarily, a human should have been digested inside it, but God sent Jonah into the fish's belly for a redemptive purpose.

Inside, Jonah recognized his grave error. The significant trait he showed was this: Jonah realized his fault. His story in the fish consists of two parts:

1.    The physical suffering Jonah endured.

2.    The spiritual revival that occurred within him.

Physical Suffering in the Belly of the Fish:

Once inside the fish:

·        Did Jonah have enough air? No.

·        Was there fresh air or light? No.

·        Did he have food or water? No.

·        Was there space to move? No.

These five forms of suffering were his punishment. And there, inside the fish, Jonah began to pray. This prayer should have come earlier, but now, under affliction, he cried out to God. His condition serves as a model for anyone going through trials:

1.      He was in distress.

2.     He felt as if he were in the depths of Sheol.

3.     He cried aloud.

4.     He was in the abyss.

5.     He was surrounded by waves.

6.     He felt cast away.

7.      Seaweed wrapped around his head.

8.     He was near death.

9.     He was enclosed by the earth’s bars.

10.   He was trapped at the roots of the mountains.

11.    He was thrown into a pit with no bottom.

12.   He fainted.

2. Jonah’s Newfound Godliness

In such intense suffering, Jonah could have cursed. But instead, he prayed for deliverance: “O Lord, save me.” People face many kinds of suffering, but nothing comes without God’s permission. When a person sins, suffering is certain. Jonah suffered, yet he didn’t die — like Job, whom Satan afflicted, but God didn’t permit death.

Even the fish suffered — it couldn’t digest Jonah. Why? Because Jonah wasn’t to be consumed. Hence, Jonah cried out. For three days, Jonah experienced intense agony, but not death. Sometimes people long for death in hardship but are denied it.

Jonah didn’t fall into the sea. He didn’t fall into the fish’s belly. He fell into suffering. At times, even God's servants experience such suffering. Because God is just, both the common and the devout face consequences when they disobey His command.

Jonah sinned knowingly. Therefore, punishment was inevitable. After realizing his mistake, Jonah repented and cursed himself — a sign of deep godliness. True devotees may not curse God with their lips, but they may question Him in their hearts. Yet Jonah, like Job, never accused God — a mark of true piety. No matter how many trials arise, never grow weary of God.

Instead, like Jonah and Job, we must stand as God’s witnesses.

Jonah Was Swallowed by Three Things:

1.      The sea,

2.     The fish,

3.     His afflictions.

These three could have driven him to anger toward God. Therefore, they all swallowed him at once. God doesn’t express His wrath visibly — instead, He uses suffering to reveal it.

God has divine attributes:

1.      He is Love

2.     He is Power

3.     He is Wisdom

4.     He is Formless

5.     He is Life

6.     He is Eternal

7.      He is Merciful

8.     He is Light

9.     He is Peace

10.   He is Just

11.    He is Omnipresent

12.   He is Holy.

When Jonah was swallowed, it was God’s justice that consumed him first — for three days. Then the fish swallowed him. Then the sea. Then his suffering. Thus, God’s justice was the first to consume Jonah.

Illustrations:

1.      God’s justice shook Jonah for three days.

2.     God's justice cast Jonah into the pit of Sheol — but then His love rescued him.

3.     Sadhu Sundar Singh in Tibet was thrown into a dry, foul-smelling pit used for criminals and corpses. The key to the pit was kept by the local ruler. Inside, Sundar Singh cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” Three days later, angels opened the pit and rescued him.

To bring glory to God, His servants may face intense afflictions. Even when we stand for His glory, fearsome suffering may follow. Yet in every trial and affliction, His love operates and sustains us. He will grant us a share in the victory of His resurrection.

May such blessedness be granted to all who read this! Amen.

Delivered by Father.M. Devadasu Ayyagaru on February 10, 1946: