The Subtle Idol: Jonah's Reflection on God's Grace and Redemption
In the story of Jonah, we see a reflection on God's grace and redemption as Jonah prays from inside the fish, acknowledging his distress and God's response. Despite feeling banished and engulfed by the waters, Jonah remembers Yahweh and the salvation that comes from the Lord. The narrative prompts introspection on our understanding of grace, actions, and humility, urging us to sacrifice with thanksgiving and avoid arrogance. Through Jonah's experience, we are reminded of the faithful love of God and the transformative power of redemption.
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The Subtle Idol Jonah 2
The Subtle Idol 1 Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish: 2 I called to the LORD in my distress, and He answered me. I cried out for help in the belly of Sheol; You heard my voice. 3 You threw me into the depths, into the heart of the seas, and the current overcame me. All Your breakers and Your billows swept over me. The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 1 Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish: 2 I called to the LORD in my distress, and He answered me. I cried out for help in the belly of Sheol; You heard my voice. 3 You threw me into the depths, into the heart of the seas, and the current overcame me. All Your breakers and Your billows swept over me. Jonah 2
The Subtle Idol 4 But I said: I have been banished from Your sight, yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple. 5 The waters engulfed me up to the neck; the watery depths overcame me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 I sank to the foundations of the mountains; the earth with its prison bars closed behind me forever! But You raised my life from the Pit, LORD my God! The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 4 But I said: I have been banished from Your sight, yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple. 5 The waters engulfed me up to the neck; the watery depths overcame me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 I sank to the foundations of the mountains; the earth with its prison bars closed behind me forever! But You raised my life from the Pit, LORD my God! Jonah 2
The Subtle Idol 7 As my life was fading away, I remembered Yahweh. My prayer came to You, to Your holy temple. 8 Those who cling to worthless idols forsake faithful love, 9 but as for me, I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD! 10 Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 7 As my life was fading away, I remembered Yahweh. My prayer came to You, to Your holy temple. 8 Those who cling to worthless idols forsake faithful love, 9 but as for me, I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD! 10 Then the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Jonah 2
The Subtle Idol Do you and I understand God s grace as deeply as we should? The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Do you and I understand God s grace as deeply as we should? Jonah 2 What do our actions say? What do our actions say? Do we feel superior or self Do we feel superior or self- -righteous in any way? righteous in any way?
The Subtle Idol What does it mean to be Showing the feeling of being better or more important than others : arrogant a superior smirk. Merriam The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 What does it mean to be superior Showing the feeling of being better or more important than others : arrogant a superior smirk. Merriam- -Webster Jonah 2 superior ? ? Webster Ever feel/believe you were/are better or more important than somebody else? Ever feel/believe you were/are better or more important than somebody else?
The Subtle Idol What does it mean to be having or characterized by a certainty, especially an unfounded one, that one is totally correct or morally superior. convinced of one's own righteousness especially in contrast with the actions and beliefs of others : narrow The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 What does it mean to be self having or characterized by a certainty, especially an unfounded one, that one is totally correct or morally superior. convinced of one's own righteousness especially in contrast with the actions and beliefs of others : narrow- -mindedly moralistic. Jonah 2 self- -righteous righteous ? ? mindedly moralistic. Merriam Merriam- -Webster Webster
The Subtle Idol What does it mean to be If you describe someone as self disapprove of them because they are convinced that they are right in their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviour and that other people are wrong Dictionary believing that your ideas and behaviour are morally better than those of other people Dictionary The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 What does it mean to be self If you describe someone as self- -righteous, you disapprove of them because they are convinced that they are right in their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviour and that other people are wrong Collins English Dictionary believing that your ideas and behaviour are morally better than those of other people Cambridge Dictionary Jonah 2 self- -righteous righteous, you righteous ? ? Collins English Cambridge
The Subtle Idol What does it mean to be The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 What does it mean to be self Jonah 2 self- -righteous righteous ? ? Do I believe that my way of life and actions, are more morally superior and right in contrast to others? Do I believe that my way of life - - beliefs, attitudes and actions, are more morally superior and right in contrast to others? beliefs, attitudes
The Subtle Idol If you were to stand before God and He was to ask you why He should let you into His Heaven, what would you say? The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 If you were to stand before God and He was to ask you why He should let you into His Heaven, what would you say? Jonah 2 If your neighbor was given entrance to God s Heaven, what would be your reaction? If your neighbor was given entrance to God s Heaven, what would be your reaction? Is your reaction justified? Is your reaction justified?
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 1. 1. Jonah asked for God s help (c.1 Prayer born out of affliction, not affection. Cried out because in danger, not because he was delighted with the LORD What is the motivation of our prayers to God? Jonah wants the favor of God, even though he has been unfavorable. How about us? The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) Jonah asked for God s help (c.1- -2) 2) Prayer born out of affliction, not affection. Cried out because in danger, not because he was delighted with the LORD What is the motivation of our prayers to God? Jonah wants the favor of God, even though he has been unfavorable. How about us? Jonah 2
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) Jonah 2 Do we live with God s will as an emergency safety, or as something we live by everyday? Do we live with God s will as an emergency safety, or as something we live by everyday?
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 2. 2. Jonah accepted God s discipline (v.3) The sailors did not cast Jonah into the sea, God did, because of his disobedience and self attitude. heart of the seas God will through us into the depths to get our attention and yet provide in our plight. The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) Jonah accepted God s discipline (v.3) The sailors did not cast Jonah into the sea, God did, because of his disobedience and self- -righteous attitude. You threw me into the depths, into the heart of the seas God will through us into the depths to get our attention and yet provide in our plight. Jonah 2 righteous You threw me into the depths, into the
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 How do we choose to act when corrected? Hebrews 12:5 1. 1. Despise & Fight (v.5) 2. 2. Be Discouraged & Faint (v.5) 3. 3. Resist & invite stronger Discipline (v.9) 4. 4. Submit & mature in Faith & Love (v.7) The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) How do we choose to act when corrected? Hebrews 12:5- -11 Despise & Fight (v.5) Be Discouraged & Faint (v.5) Resist & invite stronger Discipline (v.9) Submit & mature in Faith & Love (v.7) Jonah 2 11
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 How do we choose to act when corrected? When we refuse to shine our light God before men, God will send a storm and stick us in a whale of a situation until we change our minds. God s discipline is proof that He loves you and are a child of His (Heb. 12:8) The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) How do we choose to act when corrected? When we refuse to shine our light God before men, God will send a storm and stick us in a whale of a situation until we change our minds. God s discipline is proof that He loves you and are a child of His (Heb. 12:8) Jonah 2
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 3. 3. Jonah Trusted God s Promise (v.4 What saved Jonah? Jonah The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) Jonah Trusted God s Promise (v.4- -7) 7) What saved Jonah? Jonah remembered Jonah 2 remembered God & His Favor God & His Favor I remembered Yahweh What did He remember exactly? Possibly? I remembered Yahweh v.7 What did He remember exactly? Possibly? v.7
The Subtle Idol 37 When there is famine on the earth, when there is pestilence, when there is blight, mildew, locust, or grasshopper, when their enemy besieges them in the region of their fortified cities, any plague or illness, 38 whatever prayer or petition anyone from Your people Israel might have man knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 37 When there is famine on the earth, when there is pestilence, when there is blight, mildew, locust, or grasshopper, when their enemy besieges them in the region of their fortified cities, when there is any plague or illness, 38 whatever prayer or petition anyone from Your people Israel might have each man knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple Jonah 2 when there is each
The Subtle Idol 39 may may to all his ways, since alone so that they may fear You the land The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 39 may You hear may You forgive to all his ways, since You know alone know every human heart, so that they may fear You all the days they live on the land You gave Jonah 2 You hear in heaven, You forgive, , act know every human heart, in heaven, Your dwelling act, and You know his heart, for Your dwelling place, and , and repay his heart, for You place, and You repay the man, according the man, according all the days they live on You gave our ancestors. - -1 Kings 8:37 our ancestors. 1 Kings 8:37- -40 40- -
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 3. 3. Jonah Trusted God s Promise (v.4 Jonah remembered: God hears, dwells, forgives, acts, repays, knows, gives The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) Jonah Trusted God s Promise (v.4- -7) 7) Jonah remembered: God hears, dwells, forgives, acts, repays, knows, gives Jonah 2 so that we may fear Him Give respect & honor for Who He IS! so that we may fear Him Give respect & honor for Who He IS!
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 3. 3. Jonah Trusted God s Promise (v.4 The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) Jonah Trusted God s Promise (v.4- -7) 7) Jonah 2 While we were still sinners God forgave us through Christ (John 3:16 10:9 Remember! While we were still sinners God forgave us through Christ (John 3:16- -18) and gave us eternal life (Rom. 10:9- -10). Remember! 18) and gave us eternal life (Rom. 10).
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 4. 4. Jonah Yielded to the LORD s Will (v.8 Jonah admits to the idols in his life.? What is an idol? Anything that takes the place of God as number 1. His worship, His affection, His glory, etc... The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) Jonah Yielded to the LORD s Will (v.8- -9) 9) Jonah admits to the idols in his life.? What is an idol? Anything that takes the place of God as number 1. His worship, His affection, His glory, etc... Jonah 2
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 4. 4. Jonah Yielded to the LORD s Will (v.8 What were Jonah s idols? Patriotism Superiority Self What idols to I worship unknowingly? The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) Jonah Yielded to the LORD s Will (v.8- -9) 9) What were Jonah s idols? Patriotism Who did he belong to really? Superiority Really better than the Assyrians? Self- -righteousness What idols to I worship unknowingly? Jonah 2 Who did he belong to really? Really better than the Assyrians? righteousness He knew better than God? He knew better than God?
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 4. 4. Jonah Yielded to the LORD s Will (v.8 Why was Jonah fleeing to Tarshish? 1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious. 2 He prayed to the LORD: Please, LORD, isn t this what I said while I was still in my own country? that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to become angry, rich in faithful love, and One who relents from now, LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live. The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) Jonah Yielded to the LORD s Will (v.8- -9) 9) Why was Jonah fleeing to Tarshish? (Jonah 4:1 1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious. 2 He prayed to the LORD: Please, LORD, isn t this what I said while I was still in my own country? That s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to become angry, rich in faithful love, and One who relents from sending now, LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live. Jonah 2 (Jonah 4:1- -3) 3) That s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew sending disaster. disaster. 3 And 3 And
The Subtle Idol Jonah s Prayer (2:1 The Subtle Idol Jonah 2 Jonah s Prayer (2:1- -9) 9) Jonah 2 Dare we become angry at God because we think His favor is underserving to another. Dare we become angry at God because we think His favor is underserving to another. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23
