Good morning. I have to shop early, before Art goes to work, so I am not online in the morning as much to say an early Good Morning.
Every year a colony of ants tries to take over our mailbox. It’s no fun to pull out mail with a bunch of tiny ants running all over it. I have never been stung by one, so thankful for that. My solution is to take a bottle of Kaboom bathtoom foaming spray cleaner and coat the inside of the box with that and then clean it all out with paper towels. I have done that twice so far. With all the rain yesterday, they may be back today.Guess I need to go see about that before the mail gets delivered.
Morning. Daughter and granddaughter heading over for coffee before they head up to DIA to fetch granddaughters beau. They both start their summer stint at Summit Ministry on Sunday. Cloudy and rainy but we were spared the snow!
Here’s your question: What does the story of Jonah mean?
Chad Bird had a fascinating answer this morning:
The Deeper Symbolism of Jonah’s Fish Story While Jonah’s “fish story” is an exhilarating narrative in itself, it’s also highly charged with theological symbolism.
Here are a few examples: 1. Sailors = Gentiles and idolatry
2. Sea = Gentile world of disorder and chaos
3. Storm = Divine theophany of judgment
4. Cast into the sea = Hurled into exile into Gentiles lands
5. Jonah = Unfaithful Israel who will not heed God’s word
6. Fish = Giant sea creature often likened to Gentile rulers Jonah’s “fish story” has one layer of meaning (“what happened”) but it also has this other layer of symbolism (“what it entails”).
The nation of Israel, like Jonah, had long been rebelling against Yahweh, so the Lord turned his attention to the Gentiles in Assyria to try and arouse the jealousy of his bride.
Unrepentant Israel is eventually thrown into the Gentile sea of the world in exile as a judgment from God. In the “belly” of exile they will stay for a certain amount of time, as Jonah was in the fish for three days.
And, as the fish held Jonah in his control, so the Gentile rulers hold Israel in subjection.
Three days is the stereotypical period of biblical time that one waits for God to act in a decisive way.
For Israel, their “three days” is the seventy years of exile, predetermined by God and announced by Jeremiah. This is a time for them to sit in exile and repent and pray, as Jonah does in the fish (although his “repentance,” if it existed, was shallow indeed).
Afterward, Israel leaves the Gentile “sea” and domination under the Gentile ruling “fish.” They are spat back upon the dry land of their home country as they are allowed to return.
All of this happens because the Lord makes it happens. He controlled the fish just as he controls Cyrus the Persian.
The story, with its deep symbolism, works as an ideal image for Jesus to use when speaking of his death, burial, and resurrection.
His exile to the grave was also at the hands of Gentiles (Romans). He too was there in the belly of the earth for three days.
He too emerged from exile in his resurrection to preach repentance and the love and mercy of God.
Jonah’s story may be brief, but in some ways it encompasses the entire biblical story of Jews and Gentiles, order and chaos, exile and return, repentance and life in the mercy of the Father.
Good morning, all. I see we and most of the US including northern Cal and Ten are on track to see the northern lights tonight and tomorrow night. Michelle?
Regarding Jonah, It doesn’t end with a very good picture of Jonah himself. What a selfish unfeeling man. However when I realize that Jonah may have written the book, I am humbled that he was willing to let others see him exactly how he was. And that gives me grace to think that perhaps he repented of his attitude.
And I think Jonah’s attitude can also be seen in us, if we’re honest — in terms of how we view a culture (and people within it) that is falling seriously by the wayside?
Why bother, they’re lost and really not worth the effort.
Planning, in micro-managment style, has begun for LA Feet Week. What to do stories on, what to take photos of, how to divvy it all up with such a small staff.
Groan.
Maybe I’ll sail out of the harbor, get swallowed and thrown up by a whale, and … yeah, that would leave me in a pretty bad mood.
Had a lovely visit with my girls. Turns out the beau isn’t flying in until tomorrow night. This will be their second summer college break to be counselors at Summit. Micah the beau will be there all summer and Grace will be there until the end of July giving her a month to breathe before heading back to nursing school at CCU. High school graduating grandson will attend Summit for the second session…his sister won’t be there then! He is looking forward to his time there. It is a great program and ministry.
And daughter informed me she turned 46, not 47. And her brother turned 48, not 49…I swear I am losing it! But I am wondering if maybe I can subtract a year this year and not turn 70?😂
I got the mail. A little ant crawled from an envelope upon my arm. It stung me with a tiny sting. That was my new discovery of the day: those tiny ants sting.But only for a moment.
Whew, long day, busy week (but it went rather fast), just got Abby fed.
So with all the wars, solar flares and political outrage, the world hasn’t blown up yet? Hmm. Well, that’s good. Hanging by a thread. And on we go, seeking His mercy and patience.
I recently finished a fascinating book on ants, sent to me by second son. Empire of Ants. Highly recommended if you are interested in the incredible complexity of creation written by an evolutionist.
Who is seeing the northern lights? Our sky appears pink but we are blocked by the trees to see the amazing skies like others in the open. Some are getting beautiful photos. A friend in Mississippi is seeing deep magenta skies. Thankful for the artistry of our Creator!
I saw some beautiful pictures of the northern lights taken by a friend in TN. I didn’t see them, since I didn’t go outside. I was thinking about it at 3:30 in the morning, but that was as far as I got. Of course, Facebook is full of pictures from all over.
Wandering Views 
Good morning to everyone.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good morning, Kathleena. For the rest of you, Good whatever time of day.
Enjoy the cartoons: https://wng.org/cartoons
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good morning. I have to shop early, before Art goes to work, so I am not online in the morning as much to say an early Good Morning.
Every year a colony of ants tries to take over our mailbox. It’s no fun to pull out mail with a bunch of tiny ants running all over it. I have never been stung by one, so thankful for that. My solution is to take a bottle of Kaboom bathtoom foaming spray cleaner and coat the inside of the box with that and then clean it all out with paper towels. I have done that twice so far. With all the rain yesterday, they may be back today.Guess I need to go see about that before the mail gets delivered.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Morning. Daughter and granddaughter heading over for coffee before they head up to DIA to fetch granddaughters beau. They both start their summer stint at Summit Ministry on Sunday.
Cloudy and rainy but we were spared the snow!
LikeLiked by 3 people
My boys went to Summit–and thus, I’ve visted there three times!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Here’s your question: What does the story of Jonah mean?
Chad Bird had a fascinating answer this morning:
The Deeper Symbolism of Jonah’s Fish Story While Jonah’s “fish story” is an exhilarating narrative in itself, it’s also highly charged with theological symbolism.
Here are a few examples: 1. Sailors = Gentiles and idolatry
2. Sea = Gentile world of disorder and chaos
3. Storm = Divine theophany of judgment
4. Cast into the sea = Hurled into exile into Gentiles lands
5. Jonah = Unfaithful Israel who will not heed God’s word
6. Fish = Giant sea creature often likened to Gentile rulers Jonah’s “fish story” has one layer of meaning (“what happened”) but it also has this other layer of symbolism (“what it entails”).
The nation of Israel, like Jonah, had long been rebelling against Yahweh, so the Lord turned his attention to the Gentiles in Assyria to try and arouse the jealousy of his bride.
Unrepentant Israel is eventually thrown into the Gentile sea of the world in exile as a judgment from God. In the “belly” of exile they will stay for a certain amount of time, as Jonah was in the fish for three days.
And, as the fish held Jonah in his control, so the Gentile rulers hold Israel in subjection.
Three days is the stereotypical period of biblical time that one waits for God to act in a decisive way.
For Israel, their “three days” is the seventy years of exile, predetermined by God and announced by Jeremiah. This is a time for them to sit in exile and repent and pray, as Jonah does in the fish (although his “repentance,” if it existed, was shallow indeed).
Afterward, Israel leaves the Gentile “sea” and domination under the Gentile ruling “fish.” They are spat back upon the dry land of their home country as they are allowed to return.
All of this happens because the Lord makes it happens. He controlled the fish just as he controls Cyrus the Persian.
The story, with its deep symbolism, works as an ideal image for Jesus to use when speaking of his death, burial, and resurrection.
His exile to the grave was also at the hands of Gentiles (Romans). He too was there in the belly of the earth for three days.
He too emerged from exile in his resurrection to preach repentance and the love and mercy of God.
Jonah’s story may be brief, but in some ways it encompasses the entire biblical story of Jews and Gentiles, order and chaos, exile and return, repentance and life in the mercy of the Father.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting interpretation, Michelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning, all. I see we and most of the US including northern Cal and Ten are on track to see the northern lights tonight and tomorrow night. Michelle?
mumsee
LikeLiked by 2 people
Still too far north for us, but so exciting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was reading about large solar flares and cautioned to have all devices fully charged, which I am doing. Just passing the thought along.
jo
LikeLiked by 3 people
Regarding Jonah, It doesn’t end with a very good picture of Jonah himself. What a selfish unfeeling man. However when I realize that Jonah may have written the book, I am humbled that he was willing to let others see him exactly how he was. And that gives me grace to think that perhaps he repented of his attitude.
Jo
LikeLiked by 3 people
And I think Jonah’s attitude can also be seen in us, if we’re honest — in terms of how we view a culture (and people within it) that is falling seriously by the wayside?
Why bother, they’re lost and really not worth the effort.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Planning, in micro-managment style, has begun for LA Feet Week. What to do stories on, what to take photos of, how to divvy it all up with such a small staff.
Groan.
Maybe I’ll sail out of the harbor, get swallowed and thrown up by a whale, and … yeah, that would leave me in a pretty bad mood.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Had a lovely visit with my girls. Turns out the beau isn’t flying in until tomorrow night. This will be their second summer college break to be counselors at Summit. Micah the beau will be there all summer and Grace will be there until the end of July giving her a month to breathe before heading back to nursing school at CCU. High school graduating grandson will attend Summit for the second session…his sister won’t be there then! He is looking forward to his time there. It is a great program and ministry.
LikeLiked by 3 people
M, you’ll be interested in this, maybe others — a very well-done 30-minute film on our home town.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It went to spam. Only 2 links per post. More than that and the filter thinks it’s spam.
LikeLike
And daughter informed me she turned 46, not 47. And her brother turned 48, not 49…I swear I am losing it! But I am wondering if maybe I can subtract a year this year and not turn 70?😂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Just tell them you were counting the time you were pregnant too. 😉
LikeLiked by 4 people
Still can’t figure out how to link things here, but I think I’ve got it now. We needed a tutorial!
LikeLiked by 1 person
(the third try I found my way to the ’embed’ function; so that’s why there are 3)
LikeLike
I got the mail. A little ant crawled from an envelope upon my arm. It stung me with a tiny sting. That was my new discovery of the day: those tiny ants sting.But only for a moment.
LikeLike
Whew, long day, busy week (but it went rather fast), just got Abby fed.
So with all the wars, solar flares and political outrage, the world hasn’t blown up yet? Hmm. Well, that’s good. Hanging by a thread. And on we go, seeking His mercy and patience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recently finished a fascinating book on ants, sent to me by second son. Empire of Ants. Highly recommended if you are interested in the incredible complexity of creation written by an evolutionist.
mumsee
LikeLike
Who is seeing the northern lights? Our sky appears pink but we are blocked by the trees to see the amazing skies like others in the open. Some are getting beautiful photos. A friend in Mississippi is seeing deep magenta skies. Thankful for the artistry of our Creator!
Nj
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw some beautiful pictures of the northern lights taken by a friend in TN. I didn’t see them, since I didn’t go outside. I was thinking about it at 3:30 in the morning, but that was as far as I got. Of course, Facebook is full of pictures from all over.
LikeLiked by 1 person