The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship's cargo into the sea to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The sailors were afraidThe phrase "The sailors were afraid" captures the immediate and visceral reaction of the mariners to the tempestuous storm. In the Hebrew text, the word for "afraid" is "yare," which conveys a deep, reverential fear often associated with the divine. This fear is not merely a reaction to the physical danger but also an acknowledgment of a supernatural force at play. Historically, sailors were known to be superstitious, often attributing natural phenomena to the whims of deities. This fear sets the stage for the spiritual awakening that will follow. and each cried out to his own god
The phrase "and each cried out to his own god" highlights the polytheistic nature of the sailors' beliefs. In the ancient Near East, it was common for people to worship a pantheon of gods, each responsible for different aspects of life and nature. The Hebrew word "qara" for "cried out" suggests a desperate plea for intervention. This moment underscores the futility of relying on false gods, setting a contrast with the monotheistic faith of Jonah, who serves the one true God. It also foreshadows the eventual recognition of God's sovereignty by the sailors. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship
The action described in "And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship" is both practical and symbolic. The Hebrew verb "tul" for "threw" indicates a forceful action, reflecting the urgency of the situation. Historically, jettisoning cargo was a common practice to stabilize a ship during a storm. Symbolically, this act represents the shedding of worldly burdens in the face of divine judgment. It serves as a metaphor for repentance, a theme that runs throughout the book of Jonah. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel
The phrase "But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel" is rich with meaning. The Hebrew verb "yarad" for "gone down" is used repeatedly in Jonah's narrative, symbolizing his spiritual descent and disobedience. The "lowest part" of the ship, or "yarkete," signifies Jonah's attempt to hide from God's presence, both physically and spiritually. This descent is a stark contrast to the upward call of God, illustrating Jonah's initial resistance to his prophetic mission. where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep
Finally, "where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep" reveals Jonah's state of denial and spiritual apathy. The Hebrew word "radam" for "deep sleep" suggests a profound, almost unnatural slumber, indicating Jonah's attempt to escape reality and responsibility. In the context of the storm, his sleep is incongruous, highlighting his disconnection from God and the world around him. This moment serves as a prelude to Jonah's eventual awakening, both physically and spiritually, as God intervenes to redirect his path. Persons / Places / Events 1. SailorsThese were likely Phoenician or other pagan mariners who worshiped various gods. Their fear and actions reflect their desperation and belief in divine intervention. 2. JonahA Hebrew prophet who was fleeing from God's command to go to Nineveh. His actions and indifference contrast sharply with the sailors' panic. 3. The ShipRepresents Jonah's attempt to escape God's presence. The ship becomes a place of divine intervention and revelation. 4. The SeaOften symbolizes chaos and danger in biblical literature. Here, it is the setting for God's pursuit of Jonah. 5. CargoRepresents the sailors' livelihood and security, which they are willing to sacrifice in their attempt to save themselves. Teaching Points The Futility of IdolatryThe sailors cried out to their gods, but their efforts were in vain. This highlights the futility of relying on anything other than the one true God. God's SovereigntyDespite Jonah's disobedience, God remains in control, using the storm to redirect Jonah. This teaches us about God's sovereignty over our lives. Spiritual ApathyJonah's deep sleep amidst chaos symbolizes spiritual apathy. Believers must remain vigilant and responsive to God's call. Sacrificial ActionsThe sailors' willingness to throw cargo overboard reflects the need to let go of material possessions in times of crisis, prioritizing life and obedience to God. Divine PursuitGod's pursuit of Jonah demonstrates His relentless grace and desire for repentance and obedience from His people. Bible Study Questions 1. How do the sailors' actions and prayers reflect their understanding of divinity, and what does this teach us about the nature of true worship? 2. In what ways does Jonah's sleep symbolize spiritual indifference, and how can we guard against such apathy in our own lives? 3. How does the sailors' willingness to sacrifice their cargo challenge our own attachment to material possessions in times of crisis? 4. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and His ability to use circumstances to fulfill His purposes? 5. How can we apply the lesson of God's relentless pursuit of Jonah to our understanding of His grace and patience in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 107:23-30This passage describes sailors in distress and God's power over the sea, paralleling the sailors' fear and the calming of the storm. Mark 4:35-41Jesus calming the storm shows His authority over nature, similar to God's control over the storm in Jonah. Acts 27:18-19Paul's shipwreck experience echoes the sailors' actions of throwing cargo overboard to survive. People Amittai, Jonah, TarshishPlaces Joppa, Mount Esau, Nineveh, TarshishTopics Afraid, Asleep, Below, Cargo, Cast, Cried, Cry, Crying, Deck, Deep, Dropped, Fallen, Fast, Fear, Fell, Forth, Full, Goods, Hold, Inmost, Inner, Innermost, Jonah, Lain, Lay, Laying, Less, Lieth, Lighten, Lightened, Lower, Mariners, Sailors, Ship, Sides, Sleep, Stretched, Threw, Vessel, Wares, WeightDictionary of Bible Themes Jonah 1:5 5229 bed
5831 depression Jonah 1:1-6 8616 prayerlessness Jonah 1:1-10 5178 running Jonah 1:3-5 5587 trade Jonah 1:3-15 5517 seafaring Jonah 1:4-5 8754 fear Jonah 1:4-17 5828 danger Jonah 1:5-6 5533 sleep, physical Library Guilty Silence and Its Reward
Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2. Arise, go to Nineveh, that great, city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before Me. 3. But 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. 4. But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureChristian Graces.
FAITH. FAITH! Peter saith, faith, in the very trial of it, is much more precious than gold that perisheth. If so, what is the worth or value that is in the grace itself? Faith is so great an artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul, that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with. It will bring to my remembrance at once, both my vileness against God, and his goodness towards me; it will show me, that though I deserve not to breathe in the air, yet God will have me an heir …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by drawing lots is not unlawful, because a gloss of Augustine on Ps. 30:16, "My lots are in Thy hands," says: "It is not wrong to cast lots, for it is a means of ascertaining the divine will when a man is in doubt." Objection 2: There is, seemingly, nothing unlawful in the observances which the Scriptures relate as being practiced by holy men. Now both in the Old and in the New Testament we find holy men practicing the casting of lots. For it is related …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Careless Sinner Awakened.
1, 2. It is too supposable a case that this Treatise may come into such hands.--3, 4. Since many, not grossly vicious, fail under that character.--5, 6. A more particular illustration of this case, with an appeal to the reader, whether it be not his own.--7 to 9. Expostulation with such.--10 to 12. More particularly--From acknowledged principles relating to the Nature of Got, his universal presence, agency, and perfection.--13. From a view of personal obligations to him.--14. From the danger Of this …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Jonah
The book of Jonah is, in some ways, the greatest in the Old Testament: there is no other which so bravely claims the whole world for the love of God, or presents its noble lessons with so winning or subtle an art. Jonah, a Hebrew prophet, is divinely commanded to preach to Nineveh, the capital of the great Assyrian empire of his day. To escape the unwelcome task of preaching to a heathen people, he takes ship for the distant west, only to be overtaken by a storm, and thrown into the sea, when, by …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jonah 1:5 NIVJonah 1:5 NLTJonah 1:5 ESVJonah 1:5 NASBJonah 1:5 KJV
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