Questions about Jonah Jonah 1:8

Because the fault for the storm could not be determine, the “mariners” of the ship going to Joppa “cast lots” and revealed that Jonah was the culprit of their troubles. In chapter one and verse eight of this prophesy, the “mariners” ask several questions of Jonah to find out who he was. We read:

Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray you, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is your occupation? and where do you come from? what is your country? and of what people are you?

The verse begins, “Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray you, for whose cause this evil is upon us;” The writer began with the words, “Then said they” which refers to the “mariners” “unto him” which means Jonah, “Tell us” or “be conspicuous, make known, declare, announce, report and expound to the mariners”, “we pray you, for whose cause this evil” which is all one Hebrew word “ra` “ and means “bad, disagreeable, malignant, unpleasant, displeasing and wickedness” “is upon us” or “come upon the seamen in the ship”. When the “seamen” discovered Jonah was the source of their problems, they desired to know why he caused these troubles.

The verse goes on to say, “What is your occupation? and where do you come from? what is your country? and of what people are you?” The writer continued, “What is your occupation?” which means “work, business, property, workmanship, service and use” “and where do you come from?” or what is your place or origin and living “what is your country?” which means “territory, district and region” “and of what people are you?” which refers to Jonah's “nation, compatriots, country-men, kinsmen and kindred”. This riffling of questions to Jonah were the result of the terror these men were experiencing because of the storm.

When we think through these words, we can imagine the anxiety of these greatly distressed “mariners”. When they found Jonah to be the source of their troubles, it was quite natural to fire off questions to him concerning the reason for their them. When storms come into our lives, especially if they are caused by someone other than us, we may have questions as well. The key is to take our inquiries to the Lord Jesus who governs over and is in control of every situation we face. If a storm has come or is on the horizon, let us go to the Heavenly Father in Jesus' name and find the “source” and reasons for our “winds and waves”, and should we find ourselves as the “root” of the problem, let us turn toward Him in repentance and computation.

Next time we see how Jonah answers the “mariners'” questions, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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