READ: Jon. 2:9–10: … But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; …
Commentators differ concerning verse 9 and the nature of Jonah’s deliverance. Did Jonah hear while still in the fish that the LORD would preserve his life and restore him to the land? This is certainly possible, for the LORD had answered him (v. 2). It is therefore possible that Jonah uttered his thanksgiving while still within the fish. Yet it is equally possible that his response came after the fish had cast him upon the shore.
This question is not of primary importance. The central matter is the glorious confession contained in Jonah’s prayer of thanksgiving.
After crying earnestly unto the LORD, Jonah experiences God’s deliverance. He now confesses that God has shown covenant mercy by rescuing him, as it were, from the grave itself. At last the prophet once again knows himself to be a dependent, loving, and thankful child of God.
“O LORD, my God, Thou hast restored my life!”
Jonah once more understands by whom, with whom, and for whom he may live. His life is to be a living thank offering, consecrated to the LORD. This stands in sharp contrast to those who cling to worthless idols and thereby forsake the mercy that could have been theirs (v. 8).
For this reason Jonah begins verse 9 with the word “But.” It is the same antithetical “but” that Joshua uttered:
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Josh. 24:15).
So Jonah now declares over against idolaters, purified by the LORD’s dealings with him:
“But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD!” (vs.9).
Jonah has experienced in his own body what it means to have God’s face hidden from him. Now he is permitted to experience the great wonder of grace, that God looks upon him and grants him covenant mercy.
Our own salvation is no less a wonder of grace from the hand of our Lord God. By nature we were blind, lying in the midst of death, deserving God’s righteous judgment. But God’s Son delivered us from that condition. He raised us from the grave of darkness and spiritual death (Eph. 2:1–6).
Every day we continue to live by God’s gracious compassion, grounded upon the sacrifice of His Son, which He also offered for us upon Golgotha, with the glorious prospect of everlasting life.
Do we daily live out of the wonder that salvation is of the LORD alone?
Sing: Ps. 116:5, 7.