This is beautiful. For quite some time, I have had this sense that all our public posturing, primarily through social media, is to deny that we suffer or to project on to others, easy foils of association, the responsibility for creating evil in the world. Instead of admitting that we are the source of calamitous situations, we preen like peacocks in our self-righteous belief that we are the arbiters of truth. It is a very hollow simulation of the righteous life. I am convinced that in embracing suffering, first our own, and then world’s, can we ever know the reality of love and peace. For the past three months, I have indulged myself in reading and rereading T.S. Elliot’s Four Quartets, Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and William Faulkner’s The Sound and The Fury. The connecting theme is Time, and that it is within time that Jonah’s story becomes our story. Only in time can we recognize that suffering and calamity is not just personal or political, but generational, passed down through the generations of families and historical eras. And that moments of transition are opportunities to see Jonah’s story as our own.
As many times as I've read Jonah, I hadn't heard about these different senses of r'a-ah. Evil and calamity. A very cool insight. What did God see in the people of that great city of Nineveh that stirred compassion for them? Perhaps they had reached a point where they were looking for a way out of the cruel society they'd built? Perhaps God always has compassion for sinners and is always ready to extend a hand of mercy if we'll only take it? And, of course, everyone had written Nineveh off as beyond redemption, except God. Who are the people today that I've given up on, but for whom God is still patiently waiting to see a change of heart? And how can I have a heart that is as hopeful and compassionate as the heart of God? Thanks, Amanda, for this beautifully written and convicting piece.
Beautiful and true. And surprisingly helpful—who knew it would be helpful to say, Expect calamity; it’s everywhere??. I’ve been in the weeds with Jonah lately—it’s a deep well. It’s teaching me a lot about so many of the things you said and then, too, the character of God. When I realized that “whale” (maybe sea monster?!) was Jonah’s salvation and not his punishment, it’s like the whole book opened wide. Anyway, thank you!
Same here…you know what’s wild? I read that the gender of the big fish changes in the story…so when it is first mentioned, the fish is described with the male word for fish. Then when it spite Jonah out onto the shore, it’s the female word for fish. Tim Mackie says this could be a scribes error. OR it could be the writers emphasis that that this is a death and rebirth story for Jonah…like the whale is a womb and Jonah has a chance at new life. Pretty crazy right???
Yes! That’s been a huge part of what I’ve been trying to understand—the sign of Jonah. So if it’s a rebirth it’s so many things—a resurrection, baptism. But in every case, it’s an act of love. Jonah is swallowed by love and re-invited into love.
Calamity, birth, rebirth, compassion…all of these, yes. But like so much in my life these days, I find the word GRACE in Jonah’s story, in the Ninevites’ story, in our story as well. Grace unfolds and clings to me so profoundly that I must embrace it, embrace Him, and extend that same grace to others. As always, thank for your words.
Thank you and I'll keep trying to not close up but to open up to those with whom I disagree. I'll keep trying to not correct, but instead to get more curious.
This is beautiful. For quite some time, I have had this sense that all our public posturing, primarily through social media, is to deny that we suffer or to project on to others, easy foils of association, the responsibility for creating evil in the world. Instead of admitting that we are the source of calamitous situations, we preen like peacocks in our self-righteous belief that we are the arbiters of truth. It is a very hollow simulation of the righteous life. I am convinced that in embracing suffering, first our own, and then world’s, can we ever know the reality of love and peace. For the past three months, I have indulged myself in reading and rereading T.S. Elliot’s Four Quartets, Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and William Faulkner’s The Sound and The Fury. The connecting theme is Time, and that it is within time that Jonah’s story becomes our story. Only in time can we recognize that suffering and calamity is not just personal or political, but generational, passed down through the generations of families and historical eras. And that moments of transition are opportunities to see Jonah’s story as our own.
Ah yes those are three incredible works of literature!
As many times as I've read Jonah, I hadn't heard about these different senses of r'a-ah. Evil and calamity. A very cool insight. What did God see in the people of that great city of Nineveh that stirred compassion for them? Perhaps they had reached a point where they were looking for a way out of the cruel society they'd built? Perhaps God always has compassion for sinners and is always ready to extend a hand of mercy if we'll only take it? And, of course, everyone had written Nineveh off as beyond redemption, except God. Who are the people today that I've given up on, but for whom God is still patiently waiting to see a change of heart? And how can I have a heart that is as hopeful and compassionate as the heart of God? Thanks, Amanda, for this beautifully written and convicting piece.
Honestly, I feel like I could study the book of Jonah my whole life and never get to the bottom of it!
Beautiful and true. And surprisingly helpful—who knew it would be helpful to say, Expect calamity; it’s everywhere??. I’ve been in the weeds with Jonah lately—it’s a deep well. It’s teaching me a lot about so many of the things you said and then, too, the character of God. When I realized that “whale” (maybe sea monster?!) was Jonah’s salvation and not his punishment, it’s like the whole book opened wide. Anyway, thank you!
Same here…you know what’s wild? I read that the gender of the big fish changes in the story…so when it is first mentioned, the fish is described with the male word for fish. Then when it spite Jonah out onto the shore, it’s the female word for fish. Tim Mackie says this could be a scribes error. OR it could be the writers emphasis that that this is a death and rebirth story for Jonah…like the whale is a womb and Jonah has a chance at new life. Pretty crazy right???
Yes! That’s been a huge part of what I’ve been trying to understand—the sign of Jonah. So if it’s a rebirth it’s so many things—a resurrection, baptism. But in every case, it’s an act of love. Jonah is swallowed by love and re-invited into love.
Nah—not re-invited. Newly purposed?
Calamity, birth, rebirth, compassion…all of these, yes. But like so much in my life these days, I find the word GRACE in Jonah’s story, in the Ninevites’ story, in our story as well. Grace unfolds and clings to me so profoundly that I must embrace it, embrace Him, and extend that same grace to others. As always, thank for your words.
That was beautiful and so needed! I love your writing🩵
Thanks for reading!
Thank you and I'll keep trying to not close up but to open up to those with whom I disagree. I'll keep trying to not correct, but instead to get more curious.
This was lovely….your words and the song. Thank you for that heart touch
Thanks for reading!
Beautiful …….
Thank you for reading!