Today’s passage: Jonah 1:7-17
Helpful thoughts:
- The crew was searching for the source of “evil” that had come upon them…the same word God used to refer to the sin of Ninevah in verse 2.
- Jonah displays a lack of repentance:
- Jonah watched silently as the men cast lots.
- Nobody told Jonah he needed to be thrown into the sea. At this point, Jonah is choosing death over repentance.
- The crew even tries to turn the boat around (Repentance means to turn, to change) for Jonah, to no avail. They have compassion on Jonah in contrast to Jonah’s lack of compassion for the Ninevites or the crew.
- Jonah identified as one who feared the Lord, but his actions said otherwise. The crew identified as men who feared other gods, but their actions displayed a newfound fear of Yahweh. They feared God more than the self-proclaimed God-fearer in these moments.
- Without the second half of verse 17, we might think that the great fish was an act of judgment for Jonah’s sinful disobedience.
- Matthew 12:40
Questions to consider:
- In what ways could Jonah have been humbled by the actions and words of the ship’s crew?
- Was it right for Jonah and the crew to fear the Lord? Are you a God-fearing person? How is that evidenced in your life? Where might your fear/reverence be lacking or misplaced?
- Was it good or bad for Jonah to be thrown into the sea and swallowed by that great fish? How can God use consequences for sin as great mercies and grace in our lives?