718. JON 1:4, JON 1:5. JONAH AND THE STORM

Jon_1:4, Jon_1:5. Jonah and the Storm

"But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, bo that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep."’97Jon_1:4, Jon_1:5.

The life of Jonah is a remarkable proof of the infirmity of good men, and the impartiality of the sacred writers.

Jonah’s character stands out in all its points of weakness and moral unloveliness. Petulant, wayward, disobedient, he endeavors to run from the task of duty, and way of self-denial. Mortified by what should have yielded him pleasure, and that of the highest kind, he expresses his anger that the judgments of God were not developed; and yet this is the book that skeptics say is a false and spurious production of priests, for the sustaining of priestcraft, which so distinctly and fairly reveals all the sad blemishes of this ancient Prophet.

But our subject is the "storm," which Jonah experienced on this occasion, and its moral lessons.

I. Man is exposed both to natural and moral storms.

Tempests at sea, most sublime and awful. None more so than the sudden and fierce storms of the Mediterranean. There are land storms, as well as those by sea. The desolating tornado. The hot sand tempests of the desert, &c.

But there are moral tempests’97storms within. When the lightnings of the divine truth, and thunders of the divine wrath, roll terribly over the region of the mind’97arousing fears, scaring the conscience, &c. Sometimes the two come together, as in the case of Belshazzar, jailer, &c. Sudden visitations, &c.; so the text.

II. How impotent is man amid the storms to which he is exposed.

What can he do against the commotions and tempests of nature? His skill, or his power, what is it? As in the text. So in moral storms, the difficulties are equally formidable. What can he do? Where go? What means use? How little’97weak’97and helpless is man at best.

III. In storms and dangers men flee instinctively to their gods.

There is an immediate rush to the spiritual depths of the religious nature, for relief, &c. There is such a part of man’s nature. It is seen and heard in the supplications, glances, mutterings, &c., of pagan tribes’97ferocious hordes’97intellectual metaphysical Hindoos or Chinese. It is like the winds; it blows on every shore, island, continent, sea, forest, &c. It has been exhibited by intelligent men of infidel sects, when in peril. So now, the mariners in the text.

Now this appeal to their gods, seems to settle the universal feeling of men, in reference to guilt and peril’97helplessness and desire for safety.

IV. To escape destruction men will make the greatest sacrifice.

In the text’97"Cast their wares into the sea." The one supreme object now was deliverance; at any rate’97at any cost. Now this is seen in reference to the soul. As in duties, rites, penances, reformations, &c. Large sums left for the repose of their souls, &c. Men in religion may do all this, and do it in vain. This is not God’s way of saving men. So it was in this case; the storm abated not. Deliverance is not by human might, &c. All meritorious acts on the part of men in vain,’97can efface no sin, &c.; atone for no evil, &c.

V. Men only can be saved through atoning blood.

This impression is almost as universal as the world. Hence the victims, human and divine, that have been offered. Hence the sailors desire to throw overboard the sinner. Hence, too, Jonah’s statement; Jon_1:11, Jon_1:12. Now it was so. So in reference to the deliverance of men from sin and death. It behooved Christ to suffer, &c. He bare our sins, &c. He is the Lamb of God, &c.; the great atoning sacrifice. We are saved entirely through him. "Be it known unto you," &c.

VI. The personal realization of this truth brings peace to the soul.

As it brought a calm: Jon_1:15. So if I believe in Christ, as the surety, I am no longer anxious, tortured, &c. I no longer tremble, &c. The sentence is repealed, &c.

"Believing, we rejoice,

To see the curse remove," &c.

VII. A believing realization of deliverance will produce a right state of heart and life towards God.

Jon_1:16. Love, gratitude, reverence, obedience, must follow precious faith, &c. Not as the root of religion, but the branches. Here is the great mistake’97Satan’s lie, as to the way of the soul’s deliverance. No salvation, but by the sacrifice of Christ. All the wares may be thrown over in vain’97ship may be lightened’97but the storm rages. Nothing will do in place of Christ, and faith in him.

Application

Let us ascertain our true state and condition, while God’s wrath is revealed against sin.

1. Who are asleep?

Careless,’97self-secure, &c. How many here? Let the mariners arouse us: "What meanest thou, O sleeper!" Jon_1:6.

2. Who are anxious for safety? Praying, crying, seeking, &c. Here is deliverance! the atonement has been made &c.: Mat_1:38.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS