“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 2:17 (NKJV)

This most notable episode in the life of the prophet Jonah was so significant in the heart and mind of God that Jesus takes the time to make reference to it during His dialogue with the scribes and the Pharisees in Matthew 12:40. “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” For Jesus the three days and three nights in the heart of the earth would culminate in His resurrection and His victory over death, hell, and the grave. For Jonah his three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish that the Lord had prepared would be the commencement event leading to the discovery of his purpose that was first denied, then delayed, and that ultimately became his destiny.

Jonah denied God’s initial call upon his life by taking a quick and convenient turn in the opposite direction. “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.” Jonah 1:2 (NKJV) Instead of going to Nineveh, Jonah chose to “flee” to the city of Tarshish. The word “flee” carries the idea of coming or going quickly or “disappearing like a shadow.” It’s interesting the great lengths that some people will go to in order to deny the call of God. Sound familiar? Jonah not only sought to flee from the place of God’s call but he also attempted to flee from His presence. (See v. 3) Poor Jonah, didn’t he realize that if God was in Nineveh, He was also in Tarshish too? “Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? Psalm 139:7 (NKJV)

Jonah’s denial and detour resulted in a delay to the fulfillment of the destiny that God had for his life. God sent a storm to buffet the ship that Jonah was on and cause circumstances that brought Jonah face to face with the call of God. Sound familiar? It is interesting to note that throughout Jonah’s entire ordeal that God was in complete and sovereign control of every aspect. God never leaves us during the time that He is trying to get our attention. The fish that swallowed Jonah was one that the Lord had prepared. Likewise at the end of the three days God “spoke” to the fish and it vomited Jonah out on to dry land. (See Jonah 2:10) What happened during the three days and three nights is largely unknown however, one thing is certain; God had Jonah’s undivided attention. “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you. So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.” Jonah 3:2-3a (NKJV) It was clear that Jonah had gotten the message.

With delay no longer an option, Jonah made up for lost time in passionate pursuit of his destiny. Nineveh was a three day journey in extent however, “Jonah began to enter the city on the first days walk.” Jonah 3:4a (NKJV) When we reach the ultimate place for our destiny to be fulfilled denial and disobedience are behind us and delay will no longer confront us. Our mission and assignment from God is our only focus. We must seek after it with all that is within us in order to bring glory and honor to the Father. God has our purpose and the plan. Now is the time for us to go forth. Destiny denied is destiny unfulfilled.