Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
The first two chapters of Jonah record the experience through which severe affliction was used in providence to teach Jonah the lesson of obedience. That schooling in obedience is what enabled him to fulfill the divine purpose for the inhabitants of Nineveh. The record of that experience is worthy of most careful study.
In fearful despair Jonah felt cast out from God's sight, yet he resolved in hope to look again toward God's holy temple. His turning toward the temple expressed renewed confidence that God was able to save him. It also expressed determination to obey, even after he had fled from the commission to warn Nineveh.
The first two chapters of Jonah record the experience through which severe affliction was used in providence to teach Jonah the lesson of obedience. That schooling in obedience is what enabled him to fulfill the divine purpose for the inhabitants of Nineveh. The record of that experience is worthy of most careful study.
In fearful despair Jonah felt cast out from God's sight, yet he resolved in hope to look again toward God's holy temple. His turning toward the temple expressed renewed confidence that God was able to save him. It also expressed determination to obey, even after he had fled from the commission to warn Nineveh.