Fishy Appointment
Step aside Zip Recruiter. The first chapter of Jonah reveals a far older and more efficient job posting method. In the seventeenth verse, we see that “The Lord appointed a great fish”! If you attended Bible school or have darkened the door of a church, it is likely that you have heard about Jonah and the fish. Innumerable amounts of media have been developed from this famous Bible scripture.
From the book of Jonah, we know that this prophet did not want to obey God. He did not want to go to Nineveh, so instead of obeying the word of the Lord the prophet hopped on a ship bound for Tarshish. Why didn’t Jonah want to go to this ancient city? He knew God was “gracious and merciful.” He knew God would forgive the transgressions of the people of Nineveh. He did not want that to happen. The prophet wanted God to bring wrath on the wrong Nineveh had done. He wanted judgment.
But Jonah couldn’t run from God. The Creator of all things knew what boat Jonah was on and sent wind and water against that ship. Eventually, it was time for Jonah to get off the ship. Unfortunately, when he did the boat was still at sea and the storm was still whipping up foamy waves. But Jonah did not have long to worry about those waves because our focal character arrived. A great fish swallowed up Jonah. That fish was Jonah’s protector, transport, and redemption. The prophet who ran away was brought back by a fish and vomited out on the beach, sending him on his way to the city of… Nineveh.
God appointed a fish. If God appoints fish, what do you think He has done with you? Are you appointed? Do you have a purpose? Do you have something to accomplish in your time on earth? Of course, you do. God gave a fish a job that saved all the inhabitants of Nineveh. At that time the city’s population was likely over 120,000 people!
A fish was sent to swallow a prophet. That prophet’s words would cause people's hearts to turn away from evil. Because of that turning, God would turn from His wrath against the city and 120,000 would be saved from destruction. That’s what God did with a fish.
What will God do when you submit to His calling? People are perishing. Swallow the prophet!