It’s Time To Take A Whiff

What do you think Jonah smelled like?

I’m talking about after his belly of a whale experience…

Dude spends 3 days in the belly of a whale, then gets barfed up onto dry land.

We can assume he showered. Jonah probably swung by Costco for a 6-pack of Axe body spray too.

But still.

Ew that smell.

Have you ever had a smell get into your skin?

Campfire. Starbucks. Garlic. Dairy. Grease. Animal hospital (I worked at one, so I know).

I’m convinced Jonah still smelled like the dumpster at a fish cannery for days, maybe even weeks or months, later.

I mean, Jonah was soaking in this hot nasty goo like some kind of extended spa treatment for 3 days.

Whales are known to puke up a substance called ambergris.

What’s that? According to Wikipedia…

“Ambergris is a solid, waxy, flammable substance of a dull grey or blackish color produced in the digestive system of and regurgitated or defecated by whales. Freshly produced ambergris has a marine, fecal odor. The principal historical use of ambergris was as a fixative in perfumery.”

Did you catch that? This substance (which smells like fish poo) was used as a fixative in perfumery—which means it increased the permanence or stick-to-itivenes of perfume.

Jonah got barfed up like a piece of ambergris.

Heck, he was likely barfed up along with some ambergris.

And his odor had staying power.

When Jonah finally went to share God’s message with the people of Nineveh, he smelled.

When he had a temper tantrum over God’s grace being extended to the Ninevites, he smelled.

That odor should have been a constant reminder to Jonah of his own sin and need of God’s grace.

The high-and-mighty prophet who thought he knew best what God should do and what others deserved needed to take a whiff of himself.

Here’s what Jesus had to say about taking a whiff of yourself…

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. (Matthew 7.1-5 MSG)

Here’s the bottom line: we’re all carrying the stink of sin.

Don’t ever forget it.

The moment you start getting all judgy with someone else—it’s time to take a whiff of yourself.

Just when you think that group doesn’t deserve a second chance—it’s time to take a whiff of yourself.

Feeling like “those people” have have no place in God’s kingdom?

You guessed it…

It’s time to take a whiff of yourself.