SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 9/23/2025 7:53 AM
My Worship Time Focus: PT-3 “The Crew’s Dismay”
Bible Reading and Meditation Reference: Jonah 1:10-13
Message of the verse: “Then the men became greatly fearful, and they said to him, “What is this you have done?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of Yahweh because he had told them. So they said to him, What should we do to you that the sea may become quiet for us?”—for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. So he said to them, “lift me up and hurl me into the sea. Then the sea will become quiet for you for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.” However, the men rowed desperately to return to dry land, but they could not, for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy against them. (1:10-13).
I begin this SD by writing about the word “hurl” which is used in verse 4 to describe God hurling the wind to instigate the storm. Yahweh had hurled the storm to orchestrate a set of circumstances that would compel His impenitent prophet to request being hurled into the sea. However God still had a plan for Jonah, even if Jonah had not yet repented of his rebellion.
“Responding to Jonah’s words and fearing His God, the men rowed desperately to return to dry land. Rowed can refer to digging into or breaking through a great wall (cf. Ezek. 8:8; 12:5, 7, 12). The sailors were vigorously digging their oars into the water, attempting to return to dry land. Though Jonah’s disobedience had placed them in great danger, they nonetheless showed Jonah mercy, seeking to return to shore without tossing him overboard. Such an action would have constituted murder, and the men did not want to be guilty of taking a life. Incredibly, Jonah was not willing to show compassion to the Gentiles in Nineveh, but these Gentile sailors were further endangering their lives by showing compassion to him.
“Though the sailors made extended efforts to row to shore, they could not, for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy against them. The violent weather (Jonah 1:11) became increasingly stormy, actively preventing any progress. God directed the tempest to counter the sailor’s efforts. In the face of such immense power, the men understood the truth of what Jonah had declared, that Yahweh was indeed over ‘the sea and the dry land’ (1:9). Try as they might, the sailors could not resist His sovereign power. The Lord had hurled the storm on the sea (1:4) so that Jonah would be hurled off the ship (1:12, 15), and God’s purpose would be accomplished.”
Spiritual Meaning for My Life Today: It is my desire not to be stubborn when it comes to serving the Lord.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Trust the Lord this morning as I have to get a colonoscopy a little bit later this morning.
9/23/2025 8:10 AM
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