Ironic Conversions
Jonah 1:1–16
Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly. Jonah 1:16

Jonah 1:16 seems to mean that the sailors were converted. It means that in an ironic way God was already accomplishing his purposes in spite of the prophet Jonah’s stubborn rebellion.

The fact that the sailors were saved is evident in practically every word used. To begin with, this is the third time that the men are said to have feared something or somebody. The first was the storm (v. 5). The second was the disclosure that Jonah was a Hebrew who worshiped Jehovah (v. 10). This time they are said to have feared Jehovah himself. There is a progression.

Moreover, they were worshiping Jehovah. Earlier, when we were told of their prayers, we read: “Then the [sailors] were afraid, and each cried out to his god” (v. 5), that is, to idols. Now, after Jonah has been thrown overboard and the wind has stopped, we are told that they prayed to Jehovah, Jonah’s God. And how did they worship? Well, they performed a sacrifice and they made vows. Also they made their vows after they had been delivered, not before. This was not a foxhole conversion.

This is a great irony. We remember that Jonah was running from God because he did not want God to save the heathen in Nineveh. But the first great event in the story was the conversion of the heathen sailors.

This carries us further in the lesson about God’s sovereignty. What God is going to do, he will do. If he has determined to save Mary Jones, God will save Mary Jones. If he has determined to save John Smith, God will save John Smith. But notice, God can do this through the obedience of his children, as he does later with Nineveh through Jonah, in which case they share in the blessing. Or he can do it through his children’s disobedience, as here, in which case they miss the blessing. Either way, God blesses those whom he will bless. But the one case involves happiness for his people while the other involves misery. Which will it be in your case? Will you resist him? Will you refuse his Great Commission? Or will you obey him in this and in all matters?

Perhaps you are not yet a Christian. If not, then learn from God’s grace to the sailors. You have not yet perished in your godless state, because God, who made the sea around you and the dry land on which you walk, preserves you. Do not remain indifferent to him. Turn to him. Approach him on the basis of the perfect sacrifice for sin made once by his own Son, Jesus Christ, and follow him throughout your days.

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.