Musing – Are there Similarities between Jonah and Jesus?

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Hebraic Musing – Are there Similarities between Jonah and Jesus?

Jonah is a Biblical account that stirs the imagination and contains many subtle messages we enjoy.  But as often as I’ve seen or heard productions, I’ve not seen these parallels before.  Here are some phrases in Jonah 1:7-17 that trigger reminders of Jesus Christ’s final events leading to our salvation:

·      v.7 “Then the sailors said to each other, ‘Come, let us cast lots…’”  and the soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ robe.

·      v. 7&8 And they quizzed Jesus like they quizzed Jonah.  to find out who is responsible for this calamity. “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”

·      v.9 Jonah’s answer could also have been Jesus’ answer!  “I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”

·      v.10&11  They asked Jonah “What have you done?”  And Jonah confessed his sin – “…running away from the LORD.”   And then I remember that Romans 3:23 reminds us that we all have sinned and fell short! 

·      v.11&12  They asked Jonah “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”  And Jonah answered “Pick me up and throw me into the sea, and it will become calm.  I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”  Jonah was willing to die in atonement for his sin.  Jesus allowed himself to be crucified as atonement for all of our sins; because Jesus was sinless, He died for our sins.  “Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” 1 John 3:16

·      v.15 “Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.”  The death penalty for sin was carried out for both Jonah as-well-as for Jesus.

·      v.16 As a result “At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.”  Upon Jesus death on the cross, many people recognized the Gospel message and began making Jesus Lord of their lives; in-other-words vowing to serve Jesus as Lord.

·      v.17 “But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.”  So both Jonah and Jesus were in a grave, or belly, for three days, but did not actually die.  Jesus used this to foretell His own death and resurrection.  “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matt.12:40    They both came to life to serve the Kingdom of God, each in their own way.  Hallelujah!

Does this prove that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was already being preached in the Old Testament?

Points to ponder

Wow! Jonah willingly gave his life for others.  What a concept!

Is the account of Jonah more than just a children’s story?

“The time has come.  The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”  Mark 1:15

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      November 16, 2021
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings” http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/

P.S.  Even after seeing “Jonah” at the Sight & Sound Theater in Branson, MO, three times, I did not pick up on the parallels to Jesus’ final events.   Thank you Holy Spirit!