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Summary

Jonah 1:1–3 – The prophet flees

What happens: The word of the Lord tells Jonah to go to Nineveh and cry out against its evil. Jonah runs the other way, heading to Tarshish and paying for a ship to escape from the Lord’s presence.

What it means: Disobedience is costly and irrational, yet common to human nature. God’s call is good, and resisting Him exposes fear and a lack of love for others He wants to save.

Jonah 1:4–10 – Storm and awakening

What happens: The Lord hurls a great wind so that the ship threatens to break. Sailors cry to their gods and throw cargo overboard. Casting lots exposes Jonah, who admits he fears the Lord, Maker of sea and land.

What it means: God rules creation and uses storms to wake sleepers. Honest confession begins change, and even outsiders learn who the true God is through His works.

Jonah 1:11–16 – Overboard and reverent sailors

What happens: The sailors ask what to do; Jonah says to throw him into the sea. They try to row back but cannot, then pray to the Lord and toss him overboard. The sea calms, and they fear the Lord, offer sacrifice, and make vows.

What it means: God’s mercy reaches unexpected people, even through the failure of His servant. True fear of the Lord leads to worship and changed commitments.

Jonah 1:17 – A great fish appointed

What happens: The Lord appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah, and he stays inside three days and three nights.

What it means: God disciplines to rescue, not to destroy. His sovereignty over creatures turns judgment into a second chance.

Application

  • Obey God’s call quickly, especially when it stretches your comfort.
  • In storms, confess sin and turn to the Lord instead of doubling down.
  • Witness to unbelievers with honesty about God’s power and mercy.

Bible

1Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

2Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

3But 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.

4But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

5Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

6So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

7And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.

8Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?

9And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.

10Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

11Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.

12And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

13Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.

14Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.

15So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.

16Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.

17Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

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