And
yet this story properly approached is one of the teacher's greatest
opportunities. If it is to be presented to small children it can be told
very beautifully, either as a lesson on disobedience or, from the point
of view of the people of Nineveh, as a lesson on fasting and prayer.
Little children will not be troubled with doubt and disbelief unless the
teacher fosters such attitudes.
To older minds, of course, the story already is a good bit of a
stumbling block, and therefore needs to be given thoughtful preparation.
At the outset, with older students, we ought to lead them into the
beauties of the story--beauties which all too frequently are wholly
unknown to the ordinary boy or girl. Read the story:
The call that comes to Jonah.
His hesitancy.
His dodging of duty.
His selfish judgments.
His punishment.
His attitude toward the people of Nineveh.
The lesson taught.
"Yes," says the young skeptic, "but how about the whale idea? Do you
expect us to believe that stuff? It's contrary to all natural law."
Let's meet the issue squarely. The Bible says that Jonah was swallowed
by a big fish. Science is agreed that that part of the account is easily
possible--nothing contrary to natural law so far.
"But what about the three days? That surely is.
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