Biblical Context:
The account of Jonah being cast into the sea is found in the Book of Jonah, specifically in Jonah 1:1-17. Jonah, a prophet of the Lord, is commanded by God to go to the city of Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. However, Jonah attempts to flee from the presence of the Lord by boarding a ship bound for Tarshish.

Narrative Summary:
As Jonah sets sail, the Lord sends a great storm upon the sea, threatening to break the ship apart. The sailors, fearing for their lives, cry out to their gods and throw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. Meanwhile, Jonah is found sleeping in the hold of the ship. The captain awakens him and urges him to call upon his God for deliverance.

The sailors cast lots to determine who is responsible for the calamity, and the lot falls on Jonah. When questioned, Jonah reveals that he is a Hebrew who worships the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land. He admits that he is fleeing from the Lord's command.

Key Verses:
Jonah 1:11-12 : "Now the sea was growing worse and worse, so they said to Jonah, 'What should we do to you to calm this sea for us?' 'Pick me up,' he answered, 'and cast me into the sea, so that it may quiet down for you. For I know that it is because of me that this great storm has come upon you.'"

Theological Significance:
Jonah's willingness to be cast into the sea demonstrates a moment of repentance and acknowledgment of his disobedience. His actions reflect a recognition of God's sovereignty and justice. The narrative highlights the theme of divine intervention and the futility of attempting to escape God's will.

Sailors' Response:
Initially reluctant to harm Jonah, the sailors row desperately to return to land but find it impossible due to the worsening storm. Recognizing the power of Jonah's God, they cry out to the Lord, asking for mercy and not to be held accountable for Jonah's life. After praying, they cast Jonah into the sea, and the storm immediately ceases.

Jonah 1:15-16 : "At this, they picked up Jonah and cast him into the sea, and the raging sea grew calm. Then the men feared the LORD greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to Him."

Miraculous Deliverance:
The Lord appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he remains in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. This miraculous deliverance serves as a sign of God's mercy and foreshadows the resurrection of Christ, as referenced by Jesus in Matthew 12:40.

Symbolism and Typology:
Jonah's descent into the sea and subsequent deliverance by the fish is often seen as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and nights, so too was Christ in the heart of the earth before His resurrection.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:
The account of Jonah being cast into the sea teaches about the consequences of disobedience to God's commands and the importance of repentance. It also illustrates God's sovereignty over creation and His willingness to extend mercy to those who turn to Him in faith. The sailors' conversion and worship of the Lord underscore the universal reach of God's grace and the power of His revelation through His chosen servants.