Topical Bible: The Lot: Jonah's

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The casting of lots is a practice frequently mentioned in the Bible, often used to discern God's will in uncertain situations. One of the most notable instances of this practice is found in the account of Jonah, a prophet of Israel, whose narrative is recorded in the Book of Jonah.

Context and Background

Jonah, the son of Amittai, is called by God to go to the great 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. This act of disobedience sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow, including the casting of lots.

The Storm and the Casting of Lots

As Jonah's ship sails away from Joppa, 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 own gods and throw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. Despite their efforts, the storm grows more violent.

In their desperation, the sailors decide to cast lots to determine who is responsible for the calamity that has befallen them. The practice of casting lots was common in ancient times as a means of making decisions or discerning divine will. In this instance, the lot falls on Jonah, revealing him as the cause of the storm.

Jonah 1:7 : "Come," said the sailors to one another, "let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity that is upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.

Jonah's Confession and the Sailors' Response

Upon being identified by the lot, Jonah confesses to the sailors 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. The sailors, terrified by this revelation, ask Jonah what they must do to calm the sea.

Jonah instructs them to throw him into the sea, acknowledging that the storm is a result of his disobedience. Reluctantly, the sailors comply, and as soon as Jonah is cast into the sea, the storm ceases. This miraculous event leads the sailors to fear the Lord greatly, and they offer sacrifices and make vows to Him.

Theological Significance

The casting of lots in Jonah's account serves as a pivotal moment that underscores the sovereignty of God. Despite Jonah's attempt to escape, God's will is ultimately revealed through the lot, demonstrating that His purposes cannot be thwarted by human actions. The incident also highlights the theme of divine justice and mercy, as God uses the storm and the lot to bring Jonah to repentance and to reveal His power to the pagan sailors.

Furthermore, the account of Jonah and the casting of lots foreshadows the New Testament understanding of God's providence and the fulfillment of His plans through seemingly random events. It serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's call and the consequences of attempting to evade His directives.

Nave's Topical Index

Jonah 1:7
And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is on us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Jonah
... Jonah, a Hebrew prophet, is divinely commanded to preach to Nineveh, the capital
of the ... overtaken by a storm, and thrown into the sea, when, by the lot, it is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/jonah.htm

The Story of Jonah.
... could be. The lot fell upon Jonah. Then they asked Jonah his name and country,
and of his journey. He told them all about it. Then ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxiii the story of.htm

Guilty Silence and Its Reward
... So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.8. Then said they unto him, Tell
us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/guilty silence and its reward.htm

God Showed Himself, by the Fall of Man, as Patient, Benign ...
... to save Man is therefore most ungrateful, if, unmindful of his own lot, and of the ...
For as He patiently suffered Jonah to be swallowed by the whale, not that he ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xx god showed himself by.htm

"Nineveh, that Great City"
... So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. Then said they unto him, Tell us,
we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; what is thine occupation? ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 22 nineveh that great.htm

Jonah the Narrow-Minded Patriot
... said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account
this evil has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jonah the narrow-minded patriot.htm

The Ship on Fire --A Voice of Warning
... The alarm we have to give to-night, is that of the angel to Lot, with an ... If every
corner in the street had a Jonah in it, and that Jonah's sermon were nothing ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the ship on firea voice.htm

The Fainting Soul Revived
... she must go to pieces. Then they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
He is about to be thrown into the sea. At that moment a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the fainting soul revived.htm

The Creation of Moving Creatures.
... Content yourself with your own lot. ... However, I should not be surprised if, after
finding greater wonders upon the earth, my spirit seeks like Jonah's to flee ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily vii the creation of.htm

The Touchstone of Godly Sincerity
... His prayerfulness has sprung up like Jonah's gourd in a night. ... knows whether he is
a child of God or not, and questions whether he has any part or lot in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the touchstone of godly sincerity.htm