Overview:
The storms of life shock us, get our attention, teach us who’s in charge, and often lead us to our knees before the throne of God.For Jonah, it was an actual storm. God created a violent wind on the waters to get Jonah hurled out of the ship and into the sea. Good thing for Jonah, God appointed a fish to swallow him as a divine rescue.Join Chuck Swindoll in this study of Jonah 1:9–17 as he teaches us how to walk through the storms of life. While God likely won’t offer you relief in the belly of a fish, it’s still wise to be ready for a divine surprise.
Message Summary:
In “Prayers Onboard, Prophet Overboard,” Chuck Swindoll explores the irony of a pagan ship’s crew out-praying a prophet of God. As a massive storm threatens to break the ship apart, the sailors cry out to their various gods while Jonah—the only man on board who knows the true God—is fast asleep in the hold. Swindoll emphasizes the “contagious” nature of disobedience: Jonah’s sin didn’t just affect him; it put everyone around him in mortal danger. This message examines the moment of truth when Jonah is forced to identify himself and eventually surrender to the “severe mercy” of being cast into the depths, reminding us that God will use whatever means necessary to bring His runaway servants to their knees.
Message Key Facts:
- The Irony of the Sleeping Prophet: While the world (the sailors) is in a panic and seeking divine help, the man of God is spiritually and physically indifferent.
- The Power of the Lot: God used the sailors’ pagan practice of casting lots to supernaturally point the finger at the guilty party.
- Jonah’s Confession: Despite his rebellion, Jonah gives a clear testimony of his faith: “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven who made the sea and the dry land.”
- Sacrificial Surrender: Jonah’s request to be thrown overboard is a rare moment of selflessness, recognizing that his presence is the cause of the crew’s peril.
Message References:
- The Theology of the Storm
- Why God sends storms not to destroy, but to redirect.
- Scripture: Jonah 1:4 (The Lord hurled a great wind).
- Pagan Prayers vs. Prophetic Silence
- The contrast between the active sailors and the dormant Jonah.
- Scripture: Jonah 1:5–6 (The captain rebukes the sleeping prophet).
- The Moment of Identification
- The lot falls on Jonah and the interrogation begins.
- Scripture: Jonah 1:7–10 (Jonah identifies himself as a Hebrew).
- The Prophet Overboard
- The sailors’ reluctance to cast him out and the eventual calm that follows the sacrifice.
- Scripture: Jonah 1:11–16 (The sea stops its raging).
