Jonah:2

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* Verse 1-9 - Observe when Jonah prayed . When he was in trouble , under the tokens of God 's displeasure against him for sin : when we are in affliction we must pray . Being kept alive by miracle , he prayed . A sense of God 's good-will to us , notwithstanding our offences , opens the lips in prayer , which were closed with the dread of wrath . Also , where he prayed ; in the belly of the fish . No place is amiss for prayer . Men may shut us from communion with one another , but not from communion with God . To whom he prayed ; to the Lord his God . This encourages even backsliders to return . What his prayer was . This seems to relate his experience and reflections , then and afterwards , rather than to be the form or substance of his prayer . Jonah reflects on the earnestness of his prayer , and God 's readiness to hear and answer . If we would get good by our troubles , we must notice the hand of God in them . He had wickedly fled from the presence of the Lord , who might justly take his Holy Spirit from him , never to visit him more . Those only are miserable , whom God will no longer own and favour . But though he was perplexed , yet not in despair . Jonah reflects on the favour of God to him , when he sought to God , and trusted in him in his distress . He warns others , and tells them to keep close to God . Those who forsake their own duty , forsake their own mercy ; those who run away from the work of their place and day , run away from the comfort of it . As far as a believer copies those who observe lying vanities , he forsakes his own mercy , and lives below his privileges . But Jonah 's experience encourages others , in all ages , to trust in God , as the God of salvation . * Verse 10 - Jonah 's deliverance may be considered as an instance of God 's power over all the creatures . As an instance of God 's mercy to a poor penitent , who in distress prays to him : and as a type and figure of Christ 's resurrection . Amidst all our varying experiences , and the changing scenes of life ; we should look by faith , fixedly , upon our once suffering and dying , but now risen and ascended Redeemer . Let us confess our sins , consider Christ 's resurrection as an earnest of our own , and thankfully receive every temporal and spiritual deliverance , as the pledge of our eternal redemption . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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