“But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken,” Jonah 1:4.

Please learn today that:

GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER THE UNIVERSE

“But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea.” The Hebrew word translated ‘sent out’ appears first in 1 Samuel 18:11. See also verses 5, 12, & 15.

1. Here is given proof of God’s power and Christ’s divinity. “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:41. “They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera,” Judges 5:20. Psa 148:3-8; 107:23-31; 119:91.

2. God’s controversy with Jonah involves many others. This was not unjust. The sailors did not complain but rather acted as men guilty themselves of many transgressions. “Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god,” verse 5. The word “afraid” means to fear, be in awe, reverence. They were instantly aware of their own guilt.

3. This involving of others adds to the guilt of Jonah. He has endangered others by his sin.

a. Thus it is with all disobedient believers. They endanger their nearest and dearest by their folly. The supreme example is Adam. But, to a lesser degree it is so with us all. Exodus 20:5. “So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day,” 2 Kings 17:41.

b. What a deterrent to sin this ought to be! See it hurting your friends and you might not delight so much in it. On the other hand, righteousness blesses all around us. “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself,” Romans 14:7.

c. I will close today by reading from Acts 27:18-26. It is a parallel to the story of Jonah.