God continued to show His mercy and salvation in Jonah for the sailors on the ship that Jonah tried to use as a means of escape from God's presence. These men did not know the one true God.
Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load.
They were afraid and did everything they knew to do to save themselves. When they drew lots to discover who was as fault, they lot fell on Jonah. After questioning him about why, Jonah responded with the truth of what he was doing and told them to throw him overboard.
These men were good men, they did not want to throw him overboard. They tried to row back to land, they fought hard, but finally gave in and threw him overboard. But first, they turned to the one true God and prayed for forgiveness for this act of taking a life.
Jonah 1:14 Therefore they cried out to the Lord and said, “We pray, O Lord, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O Lord, have done as it pleased You.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the Lord and took vows.
I cannot imagine the concern and fear they must have felt in performing this act. They knew with certainty, that going into that stormy water meant death. There was no escape from a watery grave according to natural understanding. Can you imagine they shock and surprise when that storm immediately stopped? It says they feared the Lord exceedingly and offered sacrifices. They took vows. I wonder what they vowed, but I can imagine it was something like never failing to know the one true God, or to honor Him only for the rest of their lives.
Can you imagine the change in their lives that took place? No longer would false Gods be good enough for their worship. No longer did they wonder at the truth of God. They knew miracles took place. They had a testimony that I am sure they shared many times throughout their lives. Do you think their families were changed as well? I can imagine once they began to worship God, blessings were poured out on them . They were saved.
God brought salvation even in the midst of trying to turn around a wayward prophet. God is good and He is salvation.
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