Topical Bible: Converts: The Mariners With Jonah

◄ Converts: The Mariners With Jonah ►

Topical Encyclopedia

The account of the mariners with Jonah is a compelling narrative found in the Book of Jonah, which is part of the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. This account highlights the transformative power of God's intervention and the unexpected conversion of pagan sailors.

Context and Background

The Book of Jonah begins with God commanding Jonah, a Hebrew prophet, to go to the city of Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. Instead of obeying, Jonah attempts to flee from the presence of the Lord by boarding a ship bound for Tarshish. This decision sets the stage for a dramatic encounter between Jonah and the mariners.

The Storm at Sea

As the ship sails, the Lord sends a great storm upon the sea, threatening to break the vessel apart. The mariners, experienced sailors, are terrified and each cries out to his own god for deliverance. They also take practical measures by throwing the ship's cargo into the sea to lighten the load (Jonah 1:4-5).

Jonah's Confession

During the chaos, Jonah is found asleep in the hold of the ship. The captain awakens him, urging him to call upon his God. The mariners then cast lots to determine who is responsible for the calamity, and the lot falls on Jonah. When questioned, Jonah confesses 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 (Jonah 1:6-10).

The Mariners' Conversion

The mariners, recognizing the power of Jonah's God, are filled with fear. Jonah instructs them to throw him into the sea to calm the storm, acknowledging his guilt. Reluctantly, the sailors comply, and the sea immediately ceases its raging. This miraculous event leads the mariners to a profound realization of the sovereignty of the Lord.

In response, the mariners offer sacrifices to the Lord and make vows to Him, signifying their conversion and newfound reverence for the God of Israel (Jonah 1:11-16). This act of worship indicates a significant spiritual transformation, as these men, who initially called upon their own gods, now recognize and honor the one true God.

Significance

The conversion of the mariners with Jonah serves as a powerful testament to God's mercy and the reach of His grace. Despite Jonah's initial disobedience, God's purpose is fulfilled, and His name is glorified among the nations. The mariners' experience underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and the universal call to repentance and faith in the God of Israel.

This narrative also foreshadows the broader message of the Book of Jonah, which emphasizes God's compassion not only for Israel but for all peoples, including those who are traditionally seen as outsiders to the covenant community. The mariners' conversion is a precursor to the repentance of the Ninevites, further illustrating God's desire for all to come to the knowledge of Him.

Nave's Topical Index

Jonah 1:5,6,9,14,16
Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man to 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.
Nave's Topical Index