Jonah 2:1-10
1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midsta of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
6 I went down to the bottomsb of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
10 And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
Contents: Jonah's prayer out of the depths and its answer.
Characters: God, Jonah.
Conclusion: Though we bring affliction upon ourselves by our sins, yet if we pray in humility and godly sincerity, we shall be heard at the throne of grace and God will speak the word of deliverance.
Key Word: Prayer Jonah 2:1.
Strong Verses: Jonah 2:1; Jonah 2:7; Jonah 2:8; Jonah 2:9.
Striking Facts: Jonah 2:10. Israel swallowed up by the Gentiles in the sea of the nations must go down to the «bottom» before they will cry out to God and look to the one they pierced as their Saviour. When that hour comes, the nations will vomit them out upon their own land, where they will come face to face with Christ.