[tex]\huge{ \green{ \underline{ { \sf{Jonah}}}}}[/tex]
- The man's name was Jonah, a prophet who disobeyed God's command to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh. Instead, Jonah attempted to flee from God's presence by boarding a ship heading in the opposite direction.
- During his attempted escape, a great storm arose, and the sailors cast lots to determine who was responsible for the calamity. Jonah confessed that he was the cause and told them to throw him overboard to calm the sea.
- Reluctantly, the sailors did so, and Jonah was swallowed by a great fish, traditionally described as a whale in popular culture. Inside the belly of the fish, Jonah prayed for forgiveness and repented. After three days and nights, the fish vomited him onto dry land, and Jonah then fulfilled God's command to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh.
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[tex]\huge{ \red{ \underline{ { \sf{Lesson}}}}}[/tex]
The story of Jonah and the great fish is considered a parable about repentance, obedience, and God's mercy.
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[tex]\huge{ \orange{ \underline{ { \sf{Theory}}}}}[/tex]
- There is a certain theory that suggests Jonah actually died inside the fish, and he roamed in hell for 3 days. Similarly to the story, he repented and asked for forgiveness, which God granted. However, this speculation lacks evidence, but it teaches us about how merciful God is, rather than focusing on justice.
