Cast Me Forth into the Sea Jonah 1:12

As the “mariners” of the ship traveling to Joppa discovered that Jonah was the reason for the “storm” which came upon them, they asked Jonah who he was and why he did this to them. When Jonah disclosed that he was “an Hebrew” who “feared the LORD, the God of heaven, which had made the sea and the dry land”, the “mariners” were “exceedingly afraid” and asked, “what shall we do unto you” so the “sea may be calm unto us”? In chapter one and verse twelve of this prophecy, Jonah responds to their request by telling them to “take” him “up, and cast me forth into the sea”. We read:

And 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.

The verse begins, “And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea;” The writer began with the phrase, “And he said” which refers to Jonah “uttered, spoke, declared, avowed or avouched”, “Take me up” or “bear, lift, carry, support, sustain, endure and exalt Jonah up” “and cast me forth” which means “hurl, throw and carry away” “into the sea” or “the large body of water in which the ship sailed”. Jonah's response to the “mariners” was to “throw” him “into the sea”.

The verse continues, “so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.” The writer added, “so shall the sea” which refers to “the large body of water in which the ship sailed” “be calm” or “cease, be quiet and subside” “unto you” which refers to the “mariners and the shipmaster”: “for I know” which means “perceive, discriminate, distinguish and experience” “that for my sake” or “Jonah cause and account” “this great tempest” which means “this large, intense, loud and distinguished storm and whirlwind” “is upon you” which refers to the “mariners and the shipmaster”. Jonah claimed responsibility for the “storm” that had come upon the “mariners and shipmaster”, and he knew if they threw him overboard the storm would “cease” and “desist”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we understand that it took a “storm” and Jonah being found out by “cast lots” for Jonah to confess his fault in these troubles. Jonah knew since he was the “source” of the problem, if he were thrown overboard, the “storm” would stop, and the “mariners and shipmaster” would be safe. Have we ever known or wondered if we are to blame for the circumstances we are in? Have we ever felt that if we were “thrown overboard”, the “storm” surrounding us would become “calm”? Perhaps we should examine our current situations to discover if “winds and waves” seem to be coming in from every direction, and if they are, let us turn to Jesus with all our hearts and throw ourselves into the “sea” of His mighty arms of correction and “calm”.

Next time we see how the “mariners” attempted to keep from throwing Jonah overboard, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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