CHAP. I.
God commands Jonah to go and prophesy against Nineveh, 1, 2. is overtaken by a tempest, and discovered by lot, 3-10. The
Fleeing from the service, he attempts to sail to Tarshish; but
mariners reluctantly cast him into the sea; the storm abates, and they sacrifice to JEHOVAH, 11-16. Jonah is swallowed by a great fish; and continues in its belly three days, 17.
NOW TOW the word of the LORD came unto a Jonah, the son of Amittai, say
ing,
2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to "Joppa; and he found a ship
a 2 Kings 14:25. Matt. 12:39. 16:4. Luke 11:29,30,32. Jonas. b. 3:2,3. 4:11. Gen. 10:11,12. 2 Kings 19:36. Nah. 1:1. 2: 3: Zeph. 2:13-15.
c 3:2, 4. Is. 58:1. Jer. 1:7-10. Ez. 2:7,8. 3:59. Mic. 3.8. Matt. 10:18.
d Gen. 18:20,21. Ezra 9:6. Jam.
5:4. Rev. 18:5.
e 4:2. Ex. 4:13,14. 1 Kings 19:3,9. Jer. 20:7-9. Ez. 3: 14. Luke 9:62. Acts 15:38. 26:19. 1 Cor. 9:16.
f Gen. 3:8. 4:16. Job 1:12. 2:7. Ps. 139:7-12. 2 Thes. 1:9. g Josh. 19:46. 2 Chr. 2:16. Acts 9:36.
NOTES.
CHAP. I. V. 1. Some think, that Jonah had before this, for some time exercised his prophetical office in Israel; others, that he was at this time first called to it. But nothing beyond conjecture can be adduced on the subject. ( Marg . Ref . )
V. 2, 3. Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire, was one of the largest cities of which we read; being sixty miles in circumference, if historians may be credited. ( Marg . Ref . b.Note, 3:1-4.4:9-11. Preface to Nahum .) Other prophets foretold the destruction of heathen cities for their crimes: but Jonah was ordered to go to Nineveh, that he might, on the spot, denounce the judgments of God against it.Some think, that he declined this service, because he was jealous for the honor of Israel, and was not willing that the Gentiles should partake of the benefits of prophecy; and indeed that God
afterwards intimates
would mercifully spare Nineveh, and that he should be despised and punished as a false prophet. ( Note , 4:1-4.) But, when we consider the perils and hardships, to which this journey and message were likely to expose him; when we imagine to ourselves the probable reception of a despised prophet of Israel in this proud idolatrous city, come avowedly to predict its speedy destruction; and that this Inight draw upon him the resentment both of the rulers and the multitude: when we reflect how such a message would be received in the streets of London at this day; we shall not
wonder, that he was extremely reluctant to undertake the service.
Strong faith, and a habit of unreserved obedience, were necessary to overcome the reluctance, which Jonah must have felt: and perhaps he was a young man, and not as yet inured to perilous employments.--He seems to have supposed that the Spirit of prophecy would not rest on him, if he left the land of Israel to go some other way than to Nineveh; he desired to be freed from those prophetical impulses, with which he had not courage and faith to comply; and he therefore purposed "to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD." ( Marg . Ref . e, f.--Notes, Gen. 3:8.
Ps . 139:1-12.) Accordingly he went to Joppa, a sea-port town computed to be about forty miles from Gath-hepher, and in the opposite direction from Nineveh. ( Marg . Ref . g.) There he met with a vessel about to sail to Tarshish, and, paying the fare, went aboard; as if he thought that now he should removed to a from the immediate presence of God, and as not expecting to be pursued by a more imminent danger, than any of those from which he fled.
Tarshish . (3) Marg . Ref . h.-- Notes , 1 Kings 10:22. Is . 2:10-18, v . 16. - Bochart says, that 'there were two places of this name; one, Tar'tessus in Spain ... near the pillars of Hercules; the other in the Indian Ocean, near Ophir, 'which island is thought to be the modern Ceylon. To this latter men sailed from Ezion'geber on the Red Sea.' Bp . Newcombe . - Some versions, however, and expositors, suppose Tarsus in Cilicia to be here meant.
6 So the ship-master came to him, and || heaven, which hath made the sea and the
said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? Parise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
[Practical Observations.]
7 And they said ' every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah.
8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; y What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?
dry land .
10 Then were the men *exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? for the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.
11 Then said they unto him, & What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calım unto us? for the sea & wrought, and was tempestuous.
12 And he said unto them, h Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon
9 And he said unto them, I am an He-you. brew; and I fear the Lord, the God of
Is. 3:15. Ez. 18:2. Acts 21: 13. Rom. 13:11. Eph. 5:14. p Ps. 78:34. 107:6,12,13,18-20, 28,29. Jer. 2:27,28. Mark 4: 37-41.
q 3:9. 2 Sam. 12:22. Esth. 4: 16. Joel 2:14. Am. 5:15. r Judg. 7:13,14. Is. 41:6,7.
s Josh. 7:14-18. Judg. 20:9, 10. 1 Sam. 10:20,21. 14:41,42. Esth. 3:7. Ps. 22:18. Prov. 16:33. Matt. 27:35. Acts 1: 23-26. 13:19.
t Josh. 7:10-13. 22:16-20.1
Sam. 14:38,39. Job 10:2.
u Num. 32:23. Josh. 7:18. 1 Cor. 4:5.
x Josh. 7:19. 1 Sam. 14:43. Jam. 5:16.
y Gen. 47:3. 1 Sam. 30:13.
z Gen. 14:13. 39:14. Phil. 3:5. a 2 Kings 17:25,28,32-35. Job 1:9. Hos. 3:5. Acts 27:23. Rev. 15:4.
b Ezra 1:2. 5:11. 7:12,13. Neh. 1:4. 2:4. Ps. 136:26. Dan. 2: 18,19,44. Rev. 11:13. 16:11.
13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land: but they could not; for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.
c Neh. 9:6. Ps. 95.5,6. 146:5,6. † Heb. silent from us. Acts 14:15. 17:23-25.
d Johu 19:8.
* Heb. afraid, with great fear. Dan. 5:6-9.
e Josh. 7:25. 2 Sam. 24:3. f 3. Job 27:22.
g 1 Sam. 6:2,3. 2 Sam. 21:1- 6. 24:11-13. Mic. 6:6,7.
Or, grew more and more tempestuous. Heb. went and was, &c.
h 2 Sam. 24:17. John 11:50. i Josh. 7:20,21. 1 Chr. 21:17. Ec. 9:18. Acts 27:24. Heb. digged.
k Job 34:29. Prov. 21:30.
V. 4-6. During the time, which was occu-the custom, both among the Gentiles, and also pied in this rebellious project, Jonah seems to have received no more impulses of the prophetic Spirit; and to have been left to great insensibility of conscience. "But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea; so that there was a mighty tempest." This was commissioned to arrest the ship, and it was in the utmost danger of being wrecked. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . 1.- Notes , Ps. 107:23–30. 135: 7. 148:7-12, υ . 8.) It seems that the tempest was of an extraordinary nature. The affrighted mariners, therefore, having some sense of a superior power, but no right knowledge of the true God, and being of different countries, cried every one to the idol he had been used to worship, for deliverance from death: at the
among the worshippers of JEHOVAH, they agreed to decide, by casting lots, who the criminal was. This was an appeal to the heart-searching God and his providence; and he was pleased to determine the matter for them, by causing the lot to fall upon Jonah: ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Lev . 16:8-10. Num . 32: 23. Josh . 7:13-18. 1 Sam . 10:17—22. 14:36— 44. Prov. 16:33. 18:18. Acts 1:23-26.)-'This 'was an usual method of referring things to the 'appointment or discovery of Providence.' Lowth .
V. 8-10. When Jonah had been thus singled out as the culprit, whom divine vengeance pursued, the mariners did not proceed against him with violence, as might have been expect
same time they cast overboard their merchan-ed, considering their loss and extreme danger:
dise, or tackling, to lighten the ship and preserve it from sinking. ( Marg . Ref . k, l.Notes, Acts 27:18,19,33-38, v. 38. Phil . 3:1 -7, v. 7.) Yet, during all this confusion and hurry, Jonah lay asleep below deck, and heard nothing of what was doing! having perhaps had little sleep for some time, through fatigue and uneasiness. This caused the ship-master to address him as a very stupid and indolent person; to reprove him for sleeping when all their lives were in such imminent peril; and to excite him to arise, and call upon the God whom he had been used to worship, if so be he might be induced to regard, compassionate, and deliver them. Thus he who, as the messenger of JEHOVAH, ought to have been reproving the Ninevites, received a just and severe rebuke from an idolatrous mariner! (Marg. Ref . m-q.-Notes, 3:5-9, v. 9. Joel 2:12-14. Am . 5:14,15.)
but, perceiving perhaps something grave and serious in his demeanor, they calmly entreated him to inform them, whether he were not conscious of some great crime, for which this calamity was come upon them; And whether he could deny that it was on his account. They desired also to know, what his employ- ment was, whether lawful or not; whether he were not now upon some criminal project, or fleeing from justice; and in short, who he was, and of what country. ( Marg .
Ref . x, y.- Note , Josh . 7:19.) Accordingly he, without reserve, informed them of his people and religion, as a worshipper of "JEHOVAH the God of heaven,” the Creator both of the sea and the dry land; and ingenuously confessed his heinous sin. ( Marg . Ref . z-c.) This exceedingly alarmed them; either as it shewed them the power of that God, who was contending with them, and whom they knew not how to appease; or be- cause they were in doubt how to behave to- wards his prophet, perceiving extreme danger, whether they kept him in the ship, or cast him overboard.
They, however, remonstrated with Jonah for rebelling against the command, and attempting to "flee from the presence," of
V. 7. The extraordinary nature of this tempest, and the general notions of a superior power, and of right and wrong, which these men entertained, induced them to conclude, that some atrocious criminal sailed with them, for whose cause this evil had befallen them. (Note, Acts 28:3-6.) According therefore to || the great Creator; and for involving them as
well as himself, in such imminent danger. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . d-f.- Notes , 11-16, v . 14. Josh . 7:25,26, v . 25. John 19:8-12, v . 8.)
V. 11-16. The mariners, perceiving that the tempest continued to increase more and more, and not knowing how to act, inquired of Jonah himself, as JEHOVAH's prophet, what they ought to do in this emergency. And he, convinced of his sin and folly, submitting to the justice of God, and expecting death for his crime, and perhaps receiving some intimation of the divine will, counselled them to cast him into the sea; and thus the tempest would cease, for he knew that it was raised on his account. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . h, i.- Notes , Josh. 7:20,21. 2 Sam . 24:17.) He would not, however, cast himself overboard; for that would have been an act of suicide. But the men, probably affected by the candid confession and the disinterested submissive conduct of Jonah, and fearing to lay hands on the servant of JEHOVAH, used every effort to get into port or near the land; that, putting him on shore, they might preserve his life and their own also.
When they found their endeavors to be in vain, (as "the sea grew still more and more tempestuous,") they prayed, not every one to his god as before, but to JEHOVAH, entreating him, that they might not perish for taking away Jonah's life, nor be deemed guilty of murdering the innocent; as his sovereign appointment had laid them under the necessity of doing this for their own preservation. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . 1-n.) After this appeal, they cast Jonah overboard: and, as the storm immediately ceased, they were so impressed with what they hey had seen and heard, that they exceedingly feared the power and reverenced the authority of JEHOVAH, and worshipped his name; and either at that time, or as soon as they could, they offered to him sacrifices of thanksgiving for their deliverance, and made vows of becoming his servants and worshippers.
We may conclude, that some of them at least were savingly converted, by means of these extraordinary transactions.'Disclaiming all their idol-gods, they offered a 'sacrifice to the only true God, and made vows 'to him, (which they would certainly perform 'upon their return,) to worship him at Jerusa'lem.' Bp. Hall . ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . p-r.) V. 17. As it was the will of God sharply to chastise Jonah, but not to cut him off; he had prepared a great fish near the ship, to receive him into its stomach.
Christ has called it a whale , and repeatedly authenticated the whole narration; and probably some of that species have throats wide enough to swallow a man, though others may not. ( Marg . Ref . t.) The whole affair was miraculous: the preservation of Jonah, from suffocation in the belly of the whale, could only be effected by a continued VOL. IV.
exertion of almighty power; and the most daring infidel will scarcely venture to say, that God could not prepare so great a fish for this purpose, and effect Jonah's deliverance in such a manner. In this situation Jonah remained for three days and three nights; at least (according to the Hebrew phraseology,) one whole day and night and a part of two others. In this he was a type of Christ, as dead and buried, and rising again on the third day. 'The precise time was thus determined, to pre'figure the period of our Lord's continuance in 'the grave. Bp . Newcombe. ( Note , Matt . 12:38 -40.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V.1-6.
They, who serve God in the work of the ministry, must prepare for implicit and unreserved obedience amidst manifold hardships and dangers; and should arm themselves with faith and patience, and a spirit of self-denial.
They must arise and go to every place, whither Providence calls them; and not spare to reprove the sins of the great or of the many, or to denounce against them the judgments of that God, before whom their crimes have been committed. - Unbelief and the fear of man start a thousand objections to such services: and even pious men are capable of most absurd notions and extravagant actions, when desirous of escaping the cross, or declining obedience in perilous circumstances: nay, like Adam, they may be tempted to hide themselves from the presence of the Lord, by flight, or by vainly attempting to conceal themselves "among the trees of the garden!" Thus awakened sinners have sometimes removed from the preachers or companions, who have disquieted them, in hopes of being again easy in their beloved sinful course of life: and thus even pious ministers, when greatly opposed or discouraged, are apt to seek impatiently for removal to some other place, and to think they could do better any where, or in any situation, than in that assigned them by their Lord and Master.
But there is in all possible cases more danger from disobeying, than obeying, God: he can arrest his fugitives by storms from without or from within: and nothing but shame and distress can come on those, who flee from their proper place and work.
Sin and temptation may render even a believer, for a time, more insensible than the most ignorant heathen! in imminent danger, when natural conscience extorts from the latter a cry of distress to an imaginary or "unknown God," and induces them to part with their possessions in hopes of saving their lives; the former may remain secure and asleep, without any sense cf guilt or fear of wrath. But the Lord rebukes and chastens those whom he loves; and the [785
very persons, whom he sometimes employs for this purpose, serve to cover his offending servants with shame, and to fill them with anguish. Surely the people of the world in general may be thus addressed: 'Shall men part 'with all their substance to save their lives; 'and will they not renounce worldly interests 'and pleasures, to save their souls? What do 'men mean by sleeping on in sin, when the 'word of God, and the convictions of their 'consciences, warn them, to arise and call 'upon the LORD, if they would escape ever'lasting misery?"-And do we not all need such reproofs on some occasions? What do we mean, amidst all our fears, temptations, difficulties, and perils, and those of the church or the community, to be so supine and heartless? Should we not admonish and excite each other to awake, and arise, and call upon our God; "if so be he will think upon and deliver us, that we perish not?"
V.7-17.
dent that "innocent blood will not be laid to their charge." When the cause of evil is removed, ed, the effect will commonly cease; and the renunciation of sinful pleasures or interests, makes way for a sweet sense of the pardoning love of God.
His servants will scarcely ever be entirely useless; he often takes occasion even from our sins and follies, to promote the glory of his name and the salvation of souls: and if men's lives be endangered and their property diminished, nished, through their acquaintance with his worshippers; yet if their discourse or example bring any to fear, trust, worship, and obey God, their gain will be great.
Surely the conduct of these heathen mariners will rise up in judgment against great numbers of those called Christians, who neither offer prayers in their distresses, nor sacrifices of thanksgiving for their most signal deliverances!-The Lord will humble, but he will not destroy, his offending servants: and he can preserve or punish, in numberless ways of which we have no conception.-But let us not overlook him, who gave himself up to death, to rescue us from the wrath of God: the storm that he suffered to appease, was wholly of our raising; and he died, was buried, and on the third day rose again, to sanctify death and the grave to his people, and to be the First-fruits of their resurrection to everlasting life and glory.
In great distresses, it behoves us to inquire, on what account, and for whose cause, the evil is come upon us. And though it may not be deemed expedient to use the lot, amidst the abuse and profanation of it that prevail; yet we may appeal to the Lord in prayer; and by his word and Spirit, and in his Providence, he can readily shew us the cause and remedy of all our troubles.
They who rebel against God, often cause or occasion great calamities to those with whom they associate: yet they should not be treated with harshness or virulence, and careful inquiry ought always to precede the punishment of culprits. When || before or since: yet his life was not only prethe true believer has been betrayed into sin, served, but he was enabled to exercise his reaand is evidently become the criminal cause of son, and to collect his thoughts for prayer!
He harm to others, and when he is brought to a was reduced to this condition of extreme misproper sense of his misconduct, he will frank-ery and peril, by the righteous judgment of ly confess his guilt, and speak honorably of God; he could not possibly be delivered exGod, though to his own shame and condem-cept by miracle; he must be oppressed with
nation: and indeed it may justly cause the profligate and profane to tremble, when they consider with what marked severity the Lord often punishes the transgressions of his worshippers. In such circumstances they will condemn themselves, and submit patiently to any temporal punishment, if so be they may hope to be "delivered from the wrath to come:" nay, they will rather choose chastisement in their own persons, than to become the occasion of ruin to others. (1. Chr . 21:17.) Such behavior will sometimes win upon the
NOTES.