Amazing Animals of the Bible, Part 2: Jonah and the Big Fish

Welcome back to our Bible Study series for the family; Amazing Animals of the Bible. Last time we read about Balaam’s talking donkey in Numbers.22:21-38. There are so many interesting animals mentioned in the Bible that God used to do His bidding. I’m excited to walk the children through this particular Bible Devotional series on Amazing Animals of the Bible and would love it if you and your children would join us on this journey as we learn about some interesting animals mentioned in the Bible.

The Bible tells us that all animals were created by God.

Genesis.1:21 So God created the large sea animals. He created every living thing that moves in the sea. The sea is filled with these living things. Each one produces more of its own kind. God also made every bird that flies. And each bird produces more of its own kind. God saw that this was good.
Genesis.1:24 Then God said, “Let the earth be filled with animals. And let each produce more of its own kind. Let there be tame animals and small crawling animals and wild animals. And let each produce more of its kind.” And it happened.
Psalm 104:24-25 – How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small.
And all these animals that God created are sustained by Him.
Psalm 104:14, 21, 27-28 You make the grass for cattle…… The lions roar as they attack. They look to God for food……….All these things depend on you to give them their food at the right time. When you give it to them, they gather it up. When you open your hand, they are filled with good food.

Jonah and the Big Fish
Read Jonah chapters 1 and 2

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God commands everything. God controls all creation. He commanded the big fish to swallow up Jonah and it did. Then God commanded the big fish to spit Jonah out onto dry land and it did.

I imagine God put Jonah in some sort of time out so he could think about his choices and how wrong his decision to disobey and run away from God was. And it worked, because while in the belly of the big fish, Jonah has the time to think clearly and realize the error of his way, then ask God to forgive him. Jonah acknowledges that it is foolish to run away from God’s love and as Jonah declares that salvation comes from God only, God commands the fish to spit Jonah out onto dry land.

Isn’t amazing that the fish was right there near the ship at the precise moment that Jonah was thrown overboard? God’s ways may not be our ways, but His timing is always impeccable!

Isn’t it amazing that the fish did not digest Jonah, even though he was in it’s belly for three days? Even in the belly of the big fish, God is still God and He is still in control. He is a wonder working God and all creation obeys Him and does His bidding. This also reminds us of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

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They were in the blazing furnace, but the fire did not burn them, it did not burn their clothes or hair, there was even no smell of smoke on them! Though the soldiers that put them in that furnace got burnt, God did not allow them to be harmed by the fire, just like God did not allow the big fish to digest Jonah. Sometimes we might find ourselves in difficult and scary situations, they key is to focus on God and call to Him and He will save us and deliver us from those difficult and even dangerous situations.

Jonah.2:1-2 While Jonah was in the stomach of the fish, he prayed to the Lord his God. Jonah said, “I was in danger. So I called to the Lord, and He answered me.

Jonah must have felt like he was done for when he was swallowed by the fish. He must have been scared, but God causes all things to work for our good if we love Him.

Romans.8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

God did not allow the big fish to digest Jonah but kept him safe. And even better, the big fish took Jonah straight to Nineveh, where God had sent Jonah to go to in the first place, to preach to the people of Nineveh God’s message of repentance from sin and belief in God.

Isn’t it amazing that the big fish spat Jonah out, at the exact spot and location God needed him to go to in the first place? Jonah was trying to sail away to Tarshish, which is miles away in the opposite direction from Nineveh where God has sent him. This fish was Jonah’s own personal transportation system, his own private uber that took him straight to Nineveh, to the place God needed Jonah to be. Sometimes, God will use the most unconventional set of circumstances to get us to the place He needs us to be, so we can do the things that God has called us to do.

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There is no where you can go, that you will be far away from God. God is everywhere, He is omnipresent.

Hebrews.4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Jonah tried to hide from God but could not. Even in the belly of the big fish, God was there and could here Jonah’s prayer. This is a good thing. It means God can hear us call on Him and talk to Him in prayer wherever we are. No place is hidden from God, nothing can separate us from our God. And guess what, when Johan prayed to God, yes, from the belly of the big fish, God heard Jonah’s prayer and rescued him.

Are you trying to run away from God, just like Jonah? Maybe God has asked you to do something that seems difficult like tell a loved one about Jesus, forgive someone who wronged you or ask someone for forgiveness or give something that you like very much to someone that needs it more than you. Remember that God is full of love and compassion and all His plans for you are for good and not harm. So whatever the Lord is leading you to do, do it by faith! It will be for your good and the good of others, even though it seems difficult or hard right now, trust that God knows the end from the beginning and is always in control. His plans are always good and perfect.