We just got back from Alaska two weeks ago. Val Heemstra got this great picture. Rhonda never misses a chance to go whale watching and one of the best places to do it is Juneau.
Rhonda and I went whale watching for the first time in Alaska about 4 years ago. Our boat captain had spent many years on whale watching boats in Hawaii. He informed us the whales were just starting their migration and we would be seeing the same whales on a subsequent January trip in Hawaii. He was right, they were visible from both shore and boat.
Of course whales make us think of Jonah. Do you ever notice interesting parallels between different events throughout the Bible? Have you ever noticed lots of patterns of common numbers? In Jonah 1:5 we learn that Jonah is fast asleep in the boat while others are panicked by the storm. In the New Testament, Jesus was asleep while the disciples worried about the storm. Jesus calmed the storm and the storm was quieted when Jonah was thrown into the sea. Jonah spent 3 days and nights in the belly of the whale. Is this foreshadowing the 3 days Jesus spent in hell before being resurrected?
Fortunately Jesus did not stay in the tomb. He beat death for all of us. After 40 days Jesus ascended into heaven. Jonah warned of the destruction of Nineveh in 40 days. The 40’s don’t stop there. God promised to spare Sodom if 40 righteous men could be found. Moses was 40 when he saw the burning bush and returned to Israel. For Noah it rained for 40 days and nights. Moses spent 40 days on the mount receiving the Ten Commandments. After spending 40 years in the wilderness, the spies investigated the Promised Land for 40 days. Joshua was 40 at the time. At the time of Sampson God delivered Israel to the Philistines for forty years. Goliath challenged Israel for 40 consecutive days. David reigned for 40 years as did Solomon. T
he width of the main hall in his temple was 40 cubits. Esau and Isaac both married at the age of 40. Jesus fasted and was tempted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. There are many more “40’s” in the Bible.
Ask yourself, “How can I serve God in the next 40 days?” “What special calling or purpose does he have for me in this time?”
I sure wish we could be in Hawaii for 40 days this winter. At least we will not be fasting in the wilderness or eating manna.
P.S. We’ll be in Hawaii for a 10 day 3 Island trip this January. Come with us, see the whales and escape the cold! Contact us for details on this very high quality tour.