How did Jonah survive in the whale?

Answer 1

He was taking the first ship to get away from God's call to go to Nineveh. BTW, the strict interpretation of the scripture does not call it a "whale" but a "fish". This turns out to be more correct as a whale can not swallow a human but a large fish, such as a Killer Whale, can. Jonah was going to Tarshish, which was in exactly the opposite direction to where God wanted him to go. It was also very distant from where God wanted him to go. From the biblical record, it seems Jonah may have had the idea that he could get away from God's presence, as he was 'fleeing from the presence of the Lord.' In this way he could be free of his duty to preach to the Assyrians, who were known for their cruelty.

1Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 3But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Regarding the whale, this idea may have arisen, since whales are to some people just big fish. However whales are actually mammals and not fish, this includes killer whales. However, it is interesting that the Hebrew word translated as fish may also include whales, since the Hebrews did not have our modern nomenclature. It is also interesting that all toothed whales including the sperm whale swallow their food whole. There is an account of a missing whaler being found when a whale (I recall it to be a sperm whale) was captured and cut open, and he survived, although unconscious when found. It is also doubtful whether a killer whale would be capable of swallowing a human whole. Further to this, killer whales, have never been recorded as attacking humans, although often having opportunity to do so.

Answer 2

Partly, as the "prophetic sign," that Jesus would later cite as the "only" proof that He is the Messiah. [Matt.12:39-40]

And partly, as possible "shock treatment," for Jonah who prayed a fervent prayer of repentance before he died in the fish's belly. After he was resurrected ["vomited ashore by the fish"], he stopped running away and begrudgingly completed the job for which he was recruited.

There may have been any number of other ways to convince Jonah to comply with the Lord's commands than the fish ordeal... but the event's prophetic significance would seem to lend itself as the main reason for it.

Answer 3

By the grace of God. God kept Jonah alive so Jonah could finish what God wanted him to do.