The Mariners Ask Jonah Why Jonah 1:10

When Jonah revealed that he was “an Hebrew” and that he “feared the LORD, the God of heaven, which has made the sea and the dry land”, the “mariners” aboard the ship traveling to Joppa knew they were in deep trouble. In chapter one and verse ten of this prophecy, we see how the men were “exceedingly afraid” and asked Jonah “why have you done this?” where we read:

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

The verse begins, “Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why have you done this?” The writer began with the words, “Then were the men” which refers to the “mariners on the ship” “exceedingly” or “greatly, intensely and loudly” “afraid” which means “in terror, fear, reverence and revered piety”, “and said” or “uttered, spoke, avowed and avouch” “unto him” which refers to Jonah, “Why have you done this” which means “fashioned, accomplished, made and produced this” and refers to Jonah bringing the storm upon them. We can imagine how “afraid” these men were as they thought they would lose their lives, and their reaction was to discover “Why” Jonah did this to them.

The verse goes on to say, “For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.” The writer continued, “For the men” which refers to the “men, persons, individuals and mariners” “knew” or “learned, perceived, see, found out and discerned” “that he fled” which means “ran away, put to flight, reached forth and hurried away” “from the presence” or “face and person”, “of the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah” who is “the proper name of the one true God”, “because he had told” or “declared, showed, uttered, expounded and messaged” “them” which refers to the “mariners and shipmaster”. When Jonah declared how he “ran away from “the presence of the LORD”, it cause the men aboard the ship to “fear greatly” and ask him “why”.

When we consider these words the prophesy, we envision the men aboard this ship wondering why they were experiencing such troubles, and after they found Jonah to be responsible, they not only wanted to know “why” but also considered the power of the “LORD” who made the seas. They may have thought that God was ready to destroy them, and they knew He had power to do so. Jesus Christ desires a relationship with everyone, and should it take a “storm” to get the attention of them and those around, he may allow it. Let's think about this. These men were now observing God, and He had their attention. Jonah was at fault, and others paid the price. If others are “paying the price” for our “running” from God, may they call our attention to it and ask the question “why”.

Next time we see the “mariners” ask Jonah what they should do with him, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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