Topical Encyclopedia The account of the mariners who cast out Jonah is found in the Book of Jonah, specifically in Jonah 1:1-16. This narrative provides a profound insight into the spiritual transformation and religious vows made by Gentile sailors in the face of divine intervention.Context and Background Jonah, a prophet of the Lord, was commanded by God to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. Instead of obeying, Jonah attempted to flee from the presence of the Lord by boarding a ship bound for Tarshish. This act of disobedience set the stage for a dramatic encounter between Jonah, the mariners, and the Almighty. The Storm and the Mariners' Fear As the ship sailed, the Lord sent a great storm upon the sea, threatening to break the vessel apart. The mariners, experienced sailors, were terrified and each cried out to his own god, seeking deliverance from the perilous situation. They also took practical measures by throwing the ship's cargo into the sea to lighten the load (Jonah 1:4-5). Jonah's Revelation and the Mariners' Response Amidst the chaos, Jonah was found sleeping in the hold of the ship. The captain urged him to call upon his God, hoping for mercy. The sailors then cast lots to determine the cause of the calamity, and the lot fell on Jonah. Upon interrogation, Jonah revealed his identity as a Hebrew who worshiped the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land (Jonah 1:9). The mariners were exceedingly afraid upon hearing this, recognizing the power of Jonah's God. Jonah admitted that the storm was due to his flight from God's command and instructed them to throw him into the sea to calm the storm (Jonah 1:10-12). The Vows Made by the Mariners Reluctant to harm Jonah, the sailors initially attempted to row back to land but were unsuccessful due to the increasing tempest. Realizing the futility of their efforts, they cried out to the Lord, acknowledging His sovereignty and pleading for mercy, saying, "Please, O LORD, do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood. For You, O LORD, have done as You pleased" (Jonah 1:14). After casting Jonah into the sea, the storm ceased immediately, leading the mariners to a profound reverence for the Lord. The text states, "Then the men feared the LORD greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to Him" (Jonah 1:16). Significance of the Mariners' Vows The vows made by the mariners signify a pivotal moment of spiritual awakening and conversion. These Gentile sailors, initially polytheistic, recognized the supremacy of the God of Israel through the miraculous calming of the sea. Their vows and sacrifices indicate a genuine commitment to worship and serve the Lord, reflecting a transformation from fear to faith. This episode underscores the theme of God's universal sovereignty and His ability to reveal Himself to all peoples, regardless of their initial beliefs. The mariners' response serves as a testament to the power of divine encounters to bring about repentance and devotion, even among those outside the covenant community of Israel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jonah 1:16Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD, and made vows. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library "Nineveh, that Great City" Concerning Jeroboam King of Israel and Jonah the Prophet; and How ... Guilty Silence and Its Reward Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ... A Treatise of the Fear of God; Footnotes Resources Is the Catholic concept of a nun biblical? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian wedding be different from a non-Christian wedding? | GotQuestions.org What is a religious order? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Vows of Ananias and Sapphira, in the Dedication of the Proceeds of the Sale of Their Land Vows of Certain Jews With Paul Vows of Children Void Without the Consent of Parents Vows of Hannah, to Consecrate to the Lord the Child for Which She Prayed Vows of Job, not to Entertain Thoughts of Fornication Vows of Mariners Who Cast out Jonah Vows of Married Women Void Without Consent of Husbands Vows of the Jews, to Kill Paul Vows of the Mother of Micah, in the Dedication of Silver for the Making of an Idol Vows of Things Corrupt or Blemished an Insult to God Vows of Widows and Women Divorced from Their Husbands Binding Vows of Wives, Could Only be Objected to at the Time of Making Vows were Made in Reference to Afflicting the Soul Vows were Made in Reference to Dedicating Children to God Vows were Made in Reference to Devoting Property to God Vows were Made in Reference to Devoting the Person to God Vows were Made in Reference to Offering Sacrifices Vows: All Things Dedicated By, to be Brought to the Tabernacle Vows: Clean Beasts the Subjects of, not to be Redeemed Vows: Danger of Inconsiderately Making Vows: Edible Things offered In, to be Eaten the Same Day They Were offered Vows: Estimation of the Redemption Price of Things offered in Vows Vows: Might be Redeemed by Paying a Suitable Compensation Vows: Rash: The Israelites, to Destroy the Benjamites Vows: Solemn Promises Made to God Vows: The Hire of a Prostitute or Price of a Dog Could not be The Vows: The Redemption Price of the offering of Real Estate, to be Valued by the Priest Vows: Things Forbidden to be offered in Receipts of the Whore and the Price of a "Dog" Vows: Things offered In, to be Brought to the Tabernacle or Temple Vows: To be Performed Faithfully Vows: To be Performed Without Delay Vows: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Related Terms Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences) Freewill-offerings (8 Occurrences) Drink-offerings (31 Occurrences) Voluntary-offerings (4 Occurrences) Heave-offering (55 Occurrences) |
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