Jonah praying toward the Lord's Holy Temple

The last couple of weeks here at Rock Lake, I have been studying the book of Jonah. In chapter 2 Jonah is in the belly of the fish. He calls out in distress to the Lord for help.

In 2:4 there is a phrase that I have read numerous times and never really thought about. It is "Nevertheless I will look again toward Your holy temple." When doing inductive study of a passage, one thing you are encouraged to do is to compare Scripture with Scripture to understand what is being said.

II chronicles 6 was given as a cross reference to this verse. It never ceases to bless and amaze me how rich the Word of God is. In this chapter King Solomon has finished building the temple and he has come before God and the children of Israel to offer a prayer of dedication to God, to bless the temple.

Solomon wants only glory and honor to come to the LORD through this temple. He reminds the LORD of the promise He made to David about his sons sitting on the throne if they will walk in the LORD'S law as David did.

But here is the added dimension in this prayer that I didn't know about, that blessed my heart. II Chronicles 6:20,21 "That Thine eyes may be open toward this house day and night toward this place of which Thou hast said that Thou would put Thy name there, to listen to the prayer which Thy servant shall pray to this place. And listen to the supplications of Thy servant and of Thy people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear Thou from Thy dwelling place, hear Thou and forgive."

In the following verses Solomon is specific in listing different situations in which the people can cry to the Lord. He even includes foreigners in this privilege of praying to the Lord, toward the temple (and the city). verses 21,26,29,32,34,38.

The heart cry of the people praying toward this place includes repentance, returning to the LORD, confessing His name, turning from sin, etc.

There is the realization in this prayer that God cannot be contained in a building, v.18. The LORD will hear from His dwelling place in heaven, vs. 21,23,25,30,33,35,39.

Solomon's prayer is answered by God in II Chronicles 7:12-16. He says "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. Now my eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually."

Now I'll quote the verse in Jonah 2:4 again. "Nevertheless, I will look again toward your holy temple." Isn't the Word of God rich. Jonah turns his eyes and heart toward Jerusalem and the temple and prays to the Lord and the Lord hears him. He prays a prayer of repentance and the LORD hears him.

The Holy Spirit stirs my heart to continually praise the Lord for His care of me and His love for those who turn from their disobedience to Him. Bless the LORD, O my soul.

One more verse. II Chronicles 5:6 "I have chosen Jerusalem that y name might be there and I have chosen David to be over My people."