Jonah 1:7-16
7 And each man said to his mate, “Come, let’s cast lots so that we may find out on whose account this catastrophe has struck us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
8 Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this catastrophe struck us? What is your occupation, and where do you come from? What is your country, and from what people are you?”
9 So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.”
10 Then the men became extremely afraid, and they said to him, “How could you do this?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
11 So they said to him, “What should we do to you so that the sea will become calm for us?”—for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy.
12 And he said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, because I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.”
13 However, the men rowed desperately to return to land, but they could not, because the sea was becoming even stormier against them.
14 Then they cried out to the Lord and said, “We earnestly pray, O Lord, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life, and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, Lord, have done as You pleased.”
15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging.
16 Then the men became extremely afraid of the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.
Jonah Hurled into the Sea
Casting lots
Because the sailors sensed that this storm was supernatural, they cast lots to find out who was responsible. (1) In the Old Testament, seeking the Lord’s will by casting lots is a common method. Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.” (2) Since the lot fell on Jonah, they pressed him with questions: “Tell us, now! On whose account has this catastrophe struck us? What is your occupation, and where do you come from? What is your country, and from what people are you?” (3) Jonah introduced himself as a Hebrew. He also testified, “I fear the Lord God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.” The word “Hebrew” is what Israelites (Jews) use when introducing themselves to Gentiles. (4) When the men understood that Jonah was a Hebrew and that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, they became extremely afraid. This was because they knew that the Lord, the God of Israel, was more powerful than the gods of other nations.
Throwing of Jonah
The sea became increasingly stormy, and the ship was on the verge of breaking up. (1) The sailors, driven to desperation, asked Jonah how they could escape the crisis: “What should we do to you so that the sea will become calm for us?” (2) Jonah said that since he was the cause of this storm, they should throw him into the sea. Having come to this point, Jonah finally acknowledged his sin and was willing to take responsibility for it. (3) However, the sailors desperately tried to row the ship back to land so they would not have to sacrifice Jonah, but it was a futile effort. (4) Finally, the pagan sailors prayed to the Lord (Yahweh), the God of Israel. If Jonah was the cause of the storm, then in order to calm it there was no other way but to pray to Yahweh, not to other gods. They begged for Yahweh’s mercy and prayed, “Do not let us perish on account of this man’s life… for You, Lord, have done as You pleased.” (5) When they threw Jonah into the sea, the storm immediately calmed. Having experienced that miracle, the sailors feared Yahweh greatly. They offered a sacrifice to Yahweh and made vows. The content of the vows is not clear, but this act shows that they experienced spiritual conversion. Yahweh, the God of Israel, is greater than any gods. Let us learn to fear Him.
Today's prayer
O God the Creator, I acknowledge Your authority and bow down before You. Please teach me to fear You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.