Not too many people choose to swim in a violent storm. The powerful currents of a mighty storm would soon overcome the strongest of swimmers. It was in that kind of a storm that Jonah went for a swim.

Transition

This morning we are going to be looking for principles as we consider the events leading up to Jonah’s swim.

The Sailors’ efforts (1:13)

  1. They rowed hard.
    1. They gave it their best human effort to bring the ship to land, but they could not do it.
    2. They may have been ungodly sailors, but they did not want to be guilty of killing Jonah, especially if his God WAS causing the storm.
  2. The sea worked against them.
    1. The sea “wrought”. This word means to go, to come, to go away. The more they tried to row toward land, the more the sea carried them away from land.
    2. The sea was “tempestuous”. This means it raged. It got increasingly angry causing the ship to surge and crash.
    3. God was in control of the sea. He was using the sea to chasten Jonah who was rebelling against God’s will.
      ☆ Human efforts will never fix a spiritual problem. If you are a Christian but you know you are doing wrong in some area of your life, no amount of acting religious will fix the problem. The only solution to your spiritual problem is repentance and confession to God.
      ☆ (Proverbs 28:13) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
      ☆ If you are not one of God’s children, your spiritual problem is even greater than Jonah’s problem. No amount of good deeds, prayer rituals, giving, kindness, or church work will ever solve your spiritual problem. You must humbly admit your sinfulness and trust Christ to save your soul from hell and give you eternal life in heaven.
      ☆ (Ephesians 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The Sailors’ prayer (1:14)

  1. They cried to the LORD.
    1. Notice the capital letters indicating that they prayed to Jehovah God – the self-existing One.
    2. They finally realized that their human efforts were not helping so they turned to the God of the universe for help. That was a WISE move.
  2. Their prayer was specific.
    1. They begged God not to let them perish for Jonah’s life. They prayed that God would spare their lives.
    2. They begged God not to lay on them innocent blood. If per chance Jonah was not the cause of the storm, they did not want Jehovah to hold them responsible for his death.
      ☆ When you pray, how specific do you make your requests? God does not want you to talk to Him in a general way. Be specific! Pray for individual needs. Describe them to Him. Thank God for particular blessings. God knows your individual needs, so talk to Him about them.
      ☆ (Hebrews 4:14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
    3. They acknowledged God’s sovereignty – for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee. They believed in their hearts that God was the Ruler of the universe who caused the terrible storm.
      ☆ When death approaches, people often begin to think humbly about the God of the universe. Think how much better it would be if each of us got serious about God and about serving God while we are healthy and well. Don’t wait till your deathbed to get serious about living for God. (Ephesians 5:15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

The Sailors’ shock (1:15-16)

  1. They were shocked at the sea’s reaction.
    1. They picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea.
    2. Instantly, the sea ceased from her raging. That means it stood still. Imagine the awe of seeing the huge crashing waves and mighty wind suddenly stop. The sea became as calm as glass. That was an awesome experience for those men that they would never forget.
  2. They were shocked at God’s mighty power.
    1. They feared the LORD exceedingly. No heathen god had ever done anything like this.
    2. They offered a sacrifice to the LORD. Seeing God’s mighty power changed their hearts. They killed an animal and offered a sacrifice to God. We do not know if it was a sacrifice of thanksgiving or one seeking God’s forgiveness.
    3. They made vows to the LORD. Vows are promises. We are not told what they were, but perhaps they promised loyalty to God alone from that point onward.
      ☆ When a person truly sees who God is, it ought to transform every part of his life. We need a fresh look at God’s power, His holiness, and His expectation for our lives. Read Isaiah 40:12, 15, 26; Revelation 4:11; 1Peter 1:14-16.

Jonah’s Swim (1:17)

  1. Jonah landed in the water
    1. We do not know how long Jonah was swimming before the fish swallowed him.
    2. I think he was in the water long enough to realize that the storm had instantly ceased. This would confirm in his mind that the storm was part of God’s chastening.
  2. God sent a great fish to swallow Jonah.
    1. God prepared the fish. This was no accident.
    2. God chose a great fish. It was big enough for the job.
    3. God directed the fish. This fish was on a mission for God. Fish do not usually come to the surface to find food during storms.
    4. God caused the fish to swallow Jonah. The fish did not chew up Jonah; it swallowed him whole.
      ☆ Each of these things that God did through this fish was a mighty miracle. Our God is Lord of heaven and earth. Paul reminds us of this during his sermon in Athens. (Acts 17:24) God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
  3. Jonah was in the fish’s belly for three days and nights
    1. Was Jonah alive inside the fish? We do not know for positive, but I think he was. Here are some reasons.
      1. He prayed to the Lord from the fish’s belly (2:1).
      2. He described what it was like inside the fish (2:5).
      3. He repented of his rebellion while inside (2:9).
      4. He was alive when the fish vomited him out (3:1).
    2. If Jonah did die, then God raised him from the dead without telling us. Either way, his three-day fish ride was a miracle.
    3. Jesus later mentioned Jonah’s three days and three nights in the fish’s belly.
      ☆ (Matthew 12:39) But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: (40) For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (41) The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
      Jesus’ reference to Jonah confirms that the Jonah story is entirely true. The three days and three nights also tell us that Jesus was buried for that long and no less.

Conclusion

From this event, we learned that we cannot fix our spiritual problems by human effort. We must get right with God. When we pray, we ought to tell God the details of our requests. We need to see God as those sailors saw Him. He is fearfully mighty. Instead of being half-hearted, we ought to surrender fully to Him and live our lives to please and glorify our great God.

Song: His Way with Thee – 367
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Jonah’s Swim
22 November 2015 AM – Jonah 1:13-17 – Jonah2015 – Scott Childs