More than One Sign

Scripture: Then they cried to the Lord and said, “Please, Lord, do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not make us guilty for innocent blood, for You, Lord, have done as it pleased You.” So they picked up Jonah and tossed him into the sea. Then the sea ceased from its raging. Therefore the men were very afraid of the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. Jonah 1:14-16

Observation: Just earlier, as a great storm rages, sailors were pleading with their gods about the storm and their salvation. When they discover the storm is the work of Yahweh, aimed at Jonah, they throw Jonah off the boat, and to his certain death. However, before doing this, they pray out to the Lord, asking forgiveness for any sin associated with Jonah's death. After throwing him off the boat works, they worship and sacrifice to the Lord, making pledges for their lives.

In other words, after they themselves "kill" Jonah ... who will actually await three days before returning to land ... they convert and believe in God.

Application: Jesus told the Jews he would only give them "the sign of Jonah." I have often heard that the sign of Jonah was his death for three days - like Jonah being in the great fish. However, what if the sign of Jonah was more than that? What if the sign of Jonah was teaching non-believers that, even if they personally participated in his death, God would forgive them and thus they could depart from other gods and evils and have faith?

Or what if the sign of Jonah was, after he returned from 'death', he went to the unbelieving enemies (Nineveh ... or the gentiles), and they believed his message, repented, and believed in God? In this manner, the "sign of Jonah" can be the three-day death, but it can also be the response of the people-groups on both sides of that event. The sign can be the faith of Jews who participated in the death, and the faith of the gentiles who received the message and came to faith after the death.

Prayer: Lord, you remind me today that your word is rich with meaning, and complex in a way that can only prove its truth and authority. Metaphorical parallels that occur many hundreds of years apart, and could not in any way be coordinated by any human, demonstrate full intent and design and control. I praise you this day and every day, as a Ninevite living on this side of Jesus' death, for your wisdom that proves your love. Amen.