Affliction Belly Cried Cry Crying Deepest Depth Depths Distress Ear Grave Hast Heardest Heardst Hell Listened Nether-world Reason Saying Sheol Trouble Underworld Voice
2:2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly {b} of hell cried I, [and] thou heardest my voice.
(b) For he was now in the fishes belly as in a grave or place of darkness.
2:2 Affliction - Straits with which he was encompassed, his body and mind being both shut up, the one by the monstrous dungeon of the fish's belly, and the other by the terrors of the Almighty. Heardest my voice - Of which undoubtedly God gave him an assurance in his own soul.
2:1-9 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.
Affliction Belly Cried Cry Crying Deepest Depth Depths Distress Ear Grave Hear Heard Heardest Heardst Hell Help Nether-World Reason Sheol Trouble Underworld Voice
Affliction Belly Cried Cry Crying Deepest Depth Depths Distress Ear Grave Hear Heard Heardest Heardst Hell Help Nether-World Reason Sheol Trouble Underworld Voice
