Jonah 1:1 - 16

Running from God

© 2000, J.W. Carter
Scripture quotes from KJV

Jonah 1:4-5.

4Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

This boat was most likely a Phoenician vessel, and had a competent crew. They, like so many ocean-going crews, came from a variety of the ports they visited, forming a mixed group of nationalities and religions. When Jonah paid his fare, he told those on board that he was hiding from God, and went down to the hold, and went to sleep. Jonah thought that he was safe enough, having left the land, that he could go to sleep. Sin can desensitize us from its consequences. Jonah had no thought of how his sin could generate consequences for others. Note also that this act, so out of context for a prophet, did not inspire him to meditate or seek God’s will. Why? Jonah already knew God’s will. He was willfully going the other way, and the costs of his disobedience was piling up. He payed the fare for a journey he would not complete, he caused the loss of the cargo on the ship, and threatened the loss of sailor’s lives and the loss of the ship itself.

Jonah’s sin caused those on board to cast out the cargo, probably leaving the ship owner in ruin, yet Jonah slept. Even the pagans called to their gods when their life was in peril. What did Jonah do? (Slept.) How could he sleep in the hold of a small ship caught up in the storm? It is possible that Jonah had many sleepless nights preceding his decision to run. In ignorance he thought he was successful. If we avoid God’s call in our lives, and go in a different direction, will God be aware of our disobedience? (Of course.) Jonah did not understand that all that we do is known to God, and he was not safe and securely out of the influence of God in the hold of that ship.

Also, we see later that the crew tried to row to shore. This indicates how close to shore they really were, and how quickly Jonah considered himself outside of God’s influence. It is possible that this entire amazing event could have been watched from shore, furthermore impacting Jonah’s reluctance to be obedient. His act of obedience was not just between himself and God. It involved the ship’s crew, and any other witnesses there may have been.