Reading for December 19th

 Read Jonah 2.1-10.  In 2.1-10: Jonah's prayer. Jonah's prayer, an appeal to God in poetic form, maybe a traditional text taken over by the narrator to represent Jonah's petition. it is composed in the form of a lament, a common psalm type in which the worshipper pleads for God's help in a time of great distress (Ps 3, 5,7). In verse 2: The lament opens with an address, in which the worshipper calls out to God. Sheol is the land of the dead. In verses 3-6: The description of distress follows the opening address. The image of deep waters swallowing the worshipper is common in such descriptions of distress (Ps 69.1-2, 14-15).The holy temple refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. In verse 7: A petition to God follows the description of distress. In verses 8-9: Laments customarily end, as does this one, with the worshipper anticipating God's aid and promising to thank God by presenting a sacrifice at the Temple. Comments or Questions..