For much of my adult life, there seems to be an ongoing discussion about the literal interpretation of the Bible and other scriptures. The argument is centered around “rational” belief and whether or not the things we read in the scriptures actually occurred in real life. And if they did, how would one ever “prove” it? Some believe that we are questioning our belief in the existence and power of God to suggest that he couldn’t have made the miraculous things happen that are recorded there.
Let’s use Jonah as an example. Did he really get swallowed by a whale and spend three days in the whale’s belly? Could a man survive in those conditions? How about Noah? Can one man (and his family) build an Ark that would hold a pair of every animal species with room enough to feed and care for them for a significant period of time? And how did he catch those lions, tigers and bears, oh my? (A little Wizard of OZ humor!)
Let me first say, that I have no intention to diminish faith. If you believe in God (and I do), then you likely believe (like I do) that God has the capacity and intelligence to do whatever He wants. He could keep Jonah alive in the belly of a whale and he could make those animals walk into the ark by His suggestive powers alone—or by whatever other method He wanted to use. The One who created life and natural laws very likely has the power to suspend those laws, and preserve that life beyond what we understand. I’m good with that explanation, but I’m not sure that is the point.
Could the messages of the scriptures be true without being “factual” (as we use that term)? Jesus gives us several examples for our consideration in His teachings in the New Testament. Here is one: was there really a “man who fell among thieves” that was helped by a Samaritan? Maybe, maybe not. Does it make the story and the point less applicable in our lives if there wasn’t?
Let’s consider the story of Jonah again, thinking about it in a little different way. We can let the scripture language speak here: “Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah…saying. Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”
“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.”
Have you ever had the “word of the Lord” come unto you? Did you flee from it or just turn up the TV and try not to notice? Maybe you were nervous about the reception you would get. Maybe (like Jonah) you didn’t like those people you were supposed to go visit. My favorite approach is to make a mental note about how I can go do what He told me a little later on! Then I head off on my journey the other direction. In no time at all, I’m “swallowed up” and am nowhere near the place I should be to follow those promptings, and I have missed out on the blessings that were offered for my obedience. The places I “flee” to aren’t evil places, they just aren’t the places the Lord asked me to go!
Being swallowed by a whale is (to me) a perfect metaphor. I literally get “swallowed up” by the cares of the world all the time. And as much as I hate to admit it, it is often when I have been prompted or “enticed” (as Moroni defines it) by the spirit of the Lord to go and do some good thing. The lesson for us continues, through the Lord’s example as He keeps encouraging Jonah to “go and do”. I believe God could figure out a way to accomplish the task without Jonah, or find someone else less prone to be swallowed up on the way, but he loved Jonah and wanted him to have the opportunity and growth that would come from the experience. He keeps trying to lead all of us. The scriptures tell us “His arm is stretched out still…”. Sadly, many of us keep getting swallowed up and headed in another direction.
The same analysis can be done with Noah and the Ark. I think it is clear (and prophetic) that those who try to be obedient, and share that invitation with others, are given clear instruction about what they need to do to survive the coming “storms” of life. (The boat becomes a very obvious metaphor for that salvation). The fact that he chose to save animals is indicative of the significance of our right to choose (Agency) and the responsibility that comes with the human experience. God could have just created more animals after these all drowned. But I believe animals are not under the same obligation as those with higher intelligence that can choose to follow the Lord’s counsel or ignore it and suffer the consequence. All dogs go to Heaven—right? I believe there is a very clear lesson about our responsibility to choose.
So back to the question. Did Jonah really get swallowed by a whale? My answer is: it doesn’t matter. The message of the scriptures is clear and has real life application to me whether it is factual or just true. The clear message from the scriptures is that we should be obedient and try not to get swallowed up when the Lord has something important for us to do. I especially want to avoid a real whale—that would be gross!
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Jerry is the author of “Partners with God, Using His Teachings and Example to Raise Our Kids” and has been a guest speaker at numerous gatherings, firesides and organization events, as well as working as a facilitator for individual families.
Jerry and his wife Melanie are the parents of 12 children and currently have 13 grandchildren.