Jonah and the Whale

[_Bond James Bond]

Jonah is one of many stories in the Bible that we can stumble on if we wish. That is why it is there. I have yet to discover its deep meaning but I hope to one day. I have only read it a few dozen times.

It's deep meaning is that it's a metaphor. Do as God commands (in that case go and preach to the Assyrians of Nineveh) or God will torment you.* But he'll give you a chance to repent which you should totally take because you could go back to the whale's belly.


*Or you could be Job and just be the ant to God's boy with a magnifying glass as part of a science experiment.

[_ludwigm]

... anything ...

Greatness.

-- The fruit of mine own nature, nought beside can I give Thee
-- I can pass nothing except my essence


I am the extreme left character on the picture - from the viewpoint of God.



My main virtue is modesty.

[_bcuzbcuz]

The Bible just isn't very good at getting animals species right. It lists the hare as a cud chewer, it has asses that talk (no, not Jim Carrey) and whales listed as fish.

The buccal cavity of the fin whale (mysticete group), relatively common to the Mediterranean, is the most likely camping spot for Jonah. Its baleen feeding gives it a very large buccal space and a fairly narrow throat (can only swallow something smaller than grapefruit)...so no swallowing of human sized prey. It would have spit Jonah out.

Yup, Jonah is one of the most possible of Old Testament stories.

[_Franktalk]

It's deep meaning is that it's a metaphor. Do as God commands (in that case go and preach to the Assyrians of Nineveh) or God will torment you.* But he'll give you a chance to repent which you should totally take because you could go back to the whale's belly.


*Or you could be Job and just be the ant to God's boy with a magnifying glass as part of a science experiment.

The torment of Jonah was all in Jonah's head. We are to understand why Jonah decided to run from God.

As for Job I find that story very interesting. If Job had been given a chance to save his friends souls do you think he would have done so? I think he would have. So Job in a sense is a type of Christ. But one limited to earthly understanding so the situation of his persecution was shown from an earthly view point. The end of the story gives away the meaning.

Job 42:7-8

And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

So after the trial of Job he can now speak for the others. Early in the story Job was doing the same thing for his family. But now Job can be a kinsman redeemer for those who are not in his direct family. In this sense Job is a type for Christ.

[_Franktalk]

The buccal cavity of the fin whale (mysticete group), relatively common to the Mediterranean, is the most likely camping spot for Jonah. Its baleen feeding gives it a very large buccal space and a fairly narrow throat (can only swallow something smaller than grapefruit)...so no swallowing of human sized prey. It would have spit Jonah out.

I always thought that God made a special fish to hold Jonah. After all He made millions of different animals why not one more special one.

So where you look to the creation for your answers I look to the power of God.

[_Shulem]

My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

I really hate the God of the Bible. He's always getting mad at everyone over the smallest things. He has serious anger management issues and constantantly spews out threats laced with deadly hatred. I really can't stand that sorry creature, called God. But I don't believe the God of the Bible really exists. He was made up by Bible prophets trying to maintain power.

And then Jesus comes along and has a tantrum in the temple over the money changers. I guess the chip wasn't too far off the anger block. I don't like Jesus either.

Paul O

[_Themis]

I always thought that God made a special fish to hold Jonah. After all He made millions of different animals why not one more special one.

So where you look to the creation for your answers I look to the power of God.

No. Every time facts don't fit your belief, you have God playing the magic card even if the Bible never mentions it. This is an extreme method of self delusion.

[_Shulem]

I always thought that God made a special fish to hold Jonah. After all He made millions of different animals why not one more special one.

So where you look to the creation for your answers I look to the power of God.

You always thought that because you know how rediculous the story is and is utterly impossible so you thought of the idea of God making a special fish to swallow up Jonah to preserve your faith in the Bible. How about a special ark too? That's another silly story from the Bible made up by cave men thinking. We live in modern times and it's time to let the cave men go. Their silly stories have fooled countless people. The old religions are totally outdated. Move on.

Paul O

[_just me]

It's a rebirth story. Obvs.

[_MCB]

I like the story as an allegory.

A true prophet will resist the leading, because of the possible consequences. Not leap into it for fame and glory and $$$$$$$$.

Because of free will, prophecy must always follow the formula (implied or explicit) If you do not repent, ________ (bad thing) will happen.

Very simple, for non-literalists.