And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. Jonah 2:10
Do you know how to talk to a whale? God does!
Many children’s stories include imaginary conversation among animals and between people and animals. Despite these fanciful tales, I have often wondered how animals communicate, and whether the sounds we hear them make carry any significant amount of information to other creatures. Does a sparrow’s song represent a joyous outburst on the part of the tiny singer, or do those warbles and trills carry information that other sparrows can use? I don’t know. But I do know that the God who created them understands everything they say, and can communicate effectively with them. He was able to do so with Jonah’s submarine.
The whale had a big problem, of course. God had prepared the huge beast to be Jonah’s residence for a few days. The whale’s digestive system had been miraculously placed on hold during that time. Normally, a backslider might well have provided enough nourishment for a day or two, but this backslider would not digest. It was undoubtedly a relief to the whale to be instructed by God to offload the unwanted cargo. The whale obeyed, not because of backslider poisoning, but because God told it to.
As humanity about us plunges ever deeper into godlessness and sin, we can sometimes get the idea that things are out of control. Nothing could be further from the truth. God knows all about every evil deed, including those deeds and attitudes of those who reject Him. He permits men to build for themselves wrath that will be poured out someday. He knows the spiritual, economic, moral, and intellectual condition of the entire world.
Although Jonah may not have realized it, he was never in danger. And in a very real sense, neither are we. Sheltered by the Blood of Christ, we are eternally secure. Come what may, the only things we can lose are those things that do not matter.
If God can get a whale to obey when He tells it to upchuck a prophet, that same God can manage all of the circumstances around you and me. He is ever and always in control. Trust Him for everything. –Jim MacIntosh