Jonah 1:5,6

CRITICAL NOTES.]

Jonah 1:6. What] He sleeps, they pray (Psalms 107:28). God] Lit. the God; other gods powerless (perhaps the language of hope); Jonah’s God could help them.

HOMILETICS

CONTRASTS IN THE VOYAGE OF LIFE.—Jonah 1:5

Fatigue and sorrow had some influence upon Jonah (Matthew 26:40); but he seemed to be stupefied by sin, and for a time composed himself into deep sleep. The praying sailors and the sleeping servant indicate great contrasts in moral life.

I. Contrasts in the family. Diligent and idle, godly and ungodly children Some pray, and others live regardless of God. The parents are asleep when they ought to be alive to every duty, and set an example to their converted children. Children are careless when mothers and fathers continually pray for them.

II. Contrasts in the Christian Church. Many Christians are active and energetic, praying for the Holy Spirit and the revival of God’s work: others murmur and do little or nothing. They are asleep in Zion.

III. Contrasts in the world. We have Pagan piety reproving Christian indifference; Roman Catholic and ritualistic zeal shaming Protestant faith; heathens and Mohammedans provoking us to good works. “Let us not sleep as do others.”

THE SLEEPER ROUSED.—Jonah 1:6

God had other messengers beside wind and storm. He often uses rough and uncouth means, very unlikely instruments. It was not a pious minister, but a wicked woman, who rebuked Bunyan for his profanity. Jonah was roused, not by a prophet of God, but a heathen captain, who suffered no one in common danger to desert his duty or hinder others from performing it. “What meanest thou?” &c.

I. “What meanest thou?” It is most unreasonable to sleep. The bird, the beast, and the insect, know their own interest better; flee from danger, and prepare for coming difficulty (Isaiah 1:3; Proverbs 6:5; Jeremiah 8:7). Surely intelligent beings, Christian believers, may learn much from animal creation. II. “What meanest thou?” It is most risky to sleep. The ship is in danger of sinking. Thy own life and the lives of others are at stake. All hands must be at work. It is no time for sleep when the house is on fire. We should never sleep in self-security when men are perishing around us. III. “What meanest thou?” when others are asking thy prayers. Every man is longing for deliverance.

1. Asked by those who have prayed to their gods in vain. Each has looked to his idol, and depended upon resources which have disappointed. Men turn to you in penitence and bitter experience, and ask an interest in your prayers. Intercessory prayer is genuine charity.

2. Asked by those who believe that your God can help. The ship-master was convinced that Jonah’s God might possibly be more powerful than any of the gods of the crew. This is the language of hope and earnestness. “Perhaps God may think upon us.” The faith of awakened sinners should reprove our unbelief and neglect. We come not to a God unknown and unrevealed. There is more than “perhaps” upon which to ground our faith. We have warrant to pray, for God will hear; we are roused by circumstances around us to call upon our God in personal united supplication. “Let us not sleep as do others.”

HOMILETIC HINTS AND OUTLINES

Jonah 1:5. Jonah was in a deep sleep, a sleep by which he was fast held and bound; a sleep as deep as that from which Sisera never woke. (The same Heb. word is used, Judges 4:21.) Had God allowed the ship to sink, the memory of Jonah would have been that of a fugitive prophet. As it is, his deep sleep stands as an image of the lethargy of sin [Pusey].

1. A child of God may so miscarry through infirmity, negligence, and temptation, that he may be blameworthy and reprovable by a Pagan in the light of nature.
2. It is deeply censurable and absurd even to the eye of nature to be secure in trouble.
3. Nature’s light will acknowledge that he who is the true God hath power to deliver in extreme danger [Hutcheson].

Jonah 1:6. What meanest thou? Apply the words to the sinner. I. The condition indicated. Sleep a state of—

1. Darkness;
2. Danger;
3. Insensibility;
4. and Death. Yet the awful condition of many. The anger of God is upon them. Death and judgment are drawing nigh. Yet they sleep on, wish not to be disturbed and roused to a consciousness of danger. II. The question pressed. “What meanest thou?” To avoid the danger and run away from God? Is sleep better than anxiety, and sin than salvation? Do you mean to sleep as long as God and man will let you, and then just when the ship is sinking try to save yourselves? Will you rob God of your love and obedience, and expect him to interpose at last to save you? “What meanest thou?” “Awake, thou that sleepest, and Christ shall give thee light.”

We see in this instance the great danger in which unconscious sinners are often involved—that the solace sought by them often departs from them—that a deep sleep remains, and that in the performance of duty the godly are sometimes more slothful than the ungodly [Lange].

A salutary admonition, from whatever quarter it may come, ought never to be despised [Lange].

ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 1

Jonah 1:6. Sleeper. The saint’s sleeping-time is Satan’s tempting-time. No temptation so weak but is strong enough to foil a Christian that is napping in security. Samson asleep, and Delilah cut his locks. Noah asleep, and his graceless son has a fit time to discover his father’s nakedness. Thus the Christian asleep in security may soon be surprised, so as to lose much of his spiritual strength [An old Divine].