Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea was raging against them more and more. Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry landThe sailors' determination to row back to land highlights their desperation and human effort in the face of divine intervention. This reflects the human tendency to rely on one's own strength rather than seeking God's will. The sailors' actions contrast with Jonah's disobedience, as they strive to save themselves and Jonah, showing a sense of responsibility and compassion. This phrase also underscores the futility of human effort against God's sovereign plans, reminiscent of Psalm 127:1, which states that unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. but they could not
This phrase emphasizes the limits of human ability when confronted with divine power. Despite their best efforts, the sailors are unable to overcome the storm, illustrating the theme of human helplessness without God's intervention. This can be seen as a parallel to the futility of resisting God's will, as Jonah attempted to do by fleeing. It also serves as a reminder of God's control over nature, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:39. for the sea was raging against them more and more
The intensifying storm signifies God's active involvement and the seriousness of Jonah's disobedience. The sea, often seen as a symbol of chaos and danger in ancient Near Eastern cultures, is used by God to accomplish His purposes. This mirrors other biblical instances where God uses natural elements to fulfill His will, such as the plagues in Egypt. The increasing fury of the sea also foreshadows the eventual submission of the sailors to God's authority, as they later cry out to Him for deliverance. Persons / Places / Events 1. JonahA prophet of God who was commanded to go to Nineveh but attempted to flee to Tarshish instead. 2. The SailorsThe men on the ship with Jonah, who were initially unaware of Jonah's disobedience to God. 3. The SeaRepresents the natural world under God's control, which He uses to accomplish His purposes. 4. The ShipThe vessel Jonah used in his attempt to escape God's command. 5. The StormA divine intervention by God to redirect Jonah and demonstrate His sovereignty. Teaching Points Human Effort vs. Divine WillDespite the sailors' best efforts, they could not overcome the storm. This illustrates the futility of human effort against God's sovereign will. We must recognize our limitations and submit to God's plans. God's SovereigntyThe increasing storm highlights God's control over nature and circumstances. We should trust in God's sovereignty, knowing He orchestrates events for His purposes. Compassion for OthersThe sailors' determination to save Jonah, despite his disobedience, reflects compassion and a desire to preserve life. We should strive to show compassion and seek the well-being of others, even when they are at fault. Repentance and ObedienceJonah's situation serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and obedience to God's commands. We should be quick to turn back to God when we stray from His path. Bible Study Questions 1. How do the sailors' actions in Jonah 1:13 reflect human tendencies to rely on our own strength in difficult situations? Can you think of a time when you tried to "row hard" against God's will? 2. In what ways does the account of Jonah and the storm illustrate God's sovereignty over creation? How does this understanding impact your trust in God during life's storms? 3. Compare the sailors' response to the storm with Jonah's initial response to God's command. What can we learn about obedience and responsibility from their actions? 4. How does the compassion shown by the sailors challenge us to treat others, especially those who may be in the wrong? Can you identify a situation where you need to show more compassion? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "storm" in your life. How did you see God's hand at work, and what did you learn about His character through that experience? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 107:23-30This passage describes sailors in distress at sea, calling upon the Lord, who calms the storm, similar to the sailors' experience in Jonah. Mark 4:35-41Jesus calming the storm demonstrates His authority over nature, paralleling God's control over the sea in Jonah. Acts 27:13-44Paul's shipwreck experience shows God's providence and protection during a storm, akin to the divine intervention in Jonah's account. People Amittai, Jonah, TarshishPlaces Joppa, Mount Esau, Nineveh, TarshishTopics Able, Becoming, Best, Bring, Desperately, Dry, Got, Grew, However, Nevertheless, Regain, Return, Rougher, Row, Rowed, Ship, Stormier, Stormy, Tempestuous, Turn, Wilder, Working, WroughtDictionary of Bible Themes Jonah 1:3-15 5517 seafaring Jonah 1:4-17 5828 danger Jonah 1:11-15 8328 quietness Jonah 1:13-14 9614 hope, results of absence 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 1:13 NIVJonah 1:13 NLTJonah 1:13 ESVJonah 1:13 NASBJonah 1:13 KJV
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