The Pulpit Commentary — Jonah — Section 50

, crs. 2, 3.-.A.ffeictioo afld prayer. Doubtless the language of this psalm of the.nke- g_i dnf' 1Yas tl!e re~ult of subsequent meditation, for it is evidently a studied composi- tion, resembling m passages several of the sacred Hebrew odes. But the sontimonts \\We those actually experienced by the prophet when in the most humiliating position. In his experience was much which may prove very instructive and helpful to ourselves. I. DEEP AFFLICTION. 'l'he language of ver. 3, literally descriptive of Jonah's state nnd sufferinf's, is tinged with poetical feeling, and, like similar passages in the Psalms, is emblematic of the nffiictions which, at some periods of human life, are the nppointed experience of God's people. The deep waters of trouble must be passed tbrongh; the mighty billows mu~t roll over the spirit. Sorrow submerges and appa- rently overwhelms even the child of God; how much more the impenitent and ,lisobedient ! rr. EARKEST PRAYER. How, indeed, can prayer be other than earnest, if it be oflered from "the belly of hell"? Those afllictions are, indeed, a blessing which prompt such supplications as those which came from Jonah's lips. Far from human succour, and perhaps from human pity, the afflicted lift their voice, and cry, by reason of their afflictions, unto the Lord. There is something very instructive in the languaae used by Jonah, attributing his affliction to the Being upon whom he was calling, " Thou hadst cast me into the deep, . . . thy billows and thy waves passed over me." In ih.il, way the distressed may learn the lesson which the wisdom and the love of God would teach. III. GB.ACious DELIVERANCE. When in Scripture it is said that God hears, we may usually understand more than is expressed. He hears to answer, to rescue, to save. 'l'he Omnipresent did not lose sight of his servant even when he was beneath the waves of the ocean; and the All-gracious was not inattentive to his supplication, though offered from the depths where weeds were about the suppliant's head. If there are those who fear lest their situation or their circumstances should shut them out from the regard and interest of the Supreme, they may well take courage when they think of the experience of the prophet, who ea.lied upon the Lord from the depths, and was heard and was delivered. Ver. 4.-Looking toward tl,,e temple. It is remarkable that in two passages of this prayer the prophet should allude to the temple. Althongh he was from Northen. Pale1,tine, and lived whilst Judah and Israel were distinct kingdoms, it does not seem open t.o question that his allusion is to th~ sacred edifice at Jerusalem, where Jehovah manif11sted his presence and favour, and received the worship of his people. Yet the temple must have been referred tu, not so much as a material edifice, as in the light of the symbol of the manifestation of the presence and the favour of the Most High. L To LOOK TOWABD THE TEMPLE I8 TO BE REMINDED OF THE EXISTENCE OF Goo. As the sight of a house may remind us of the friend who dwells there, as the eight of a pa.lac.e may lead 116 to think of the k:ing,-so to look toward the temple is to look to God,. Jonah may have been tempted to say, "There is no God;" or," If there bea God, he regards not me." When he turned in heart to the temple, such thoughts vanished, e.~ God's existence became a reality to him. IL To LOOK TOWARD THE TEMPLE IS TO BEEK THE FAVOUR OF Goo. The temple e.as the place where sacrifices were offered and accepted; where God showed him- self to be gracious to his covenant people, where sin was pardoned, and the penitent sinner was received in to acceptance. .And Jonah knew, even from the very commission he was unwilling to fulfil, that God delighted in mercy, and was long-suffering and compe.ssionate. He had incurriid Divine displeasure, but he began to feel that he was !Jut beyond the reach of Divine commiseration and help. ill To LOOK TOW.ABD THE TEMPLE 18 TO ~XPEO'l' Tllll: DIVINE INTBBPOBITION AND DIRECTION. The pious Jews sought Jehovah in his house, consulted t~e. oracle, invoked guidance, implored blessing. Aud when Jonah directed the gaze ol ~1s heart t·,warde the dwelling-place of his God, it was with the well-formed_ expectat10n that., Lowever iwpossibie it was for him to wake a way of escape for hunHelf, God would CH, It, 1-10,) THE BOOK OF JONAH. 47