Jonah 1:4-10

Why hast thou done this -- Jonah 1:4-10: God sent a very violent wind that was about to destroy the boat that Jonah was in. Jonah learned "the hard way" that it is a terrible mistake to run from God. The mariners were experienced men of the sea, yet they were afraid. They were idol worshippers. Each prayed to his god for help. They lightened the ship by throwing things overboard. Throughout this time Jonah was in the inner part of the ship asleep. There was such a strain on him on the inside that he was unaware of the storm raging outside. The shipmaster awakened Jonah and told him to call upon his God for help. Oh but it would do no good for Jonah to pray at this time because he is not penitent.

The mariners said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us. So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah." When the lot fell upon Jonah the shipmaster began to ask him some questions. "Tell us, we pray you, on whose account has this evil come upon us? What is your occupation? Where did you come from? And what is your country and nationality?" Jonah told them that he was a Hebrew and that he worshipped the God that had made the very sea that they were upon and He made the dry land. The men could not believe that Jonah fled from being in the presence of the God that he said he followed as a prophet and as a servant.