|
Matthew Henry Commentary |
 |
Jonah The Praying Prophet
When Jonah was set on ship-board, and under sail for Tarshish, he thought himself safe enough; but here we find him pursued and overtaken, discovered and convicted as a deserter from God, as one that had run his colours.
I. God sends a pursuer after him, a
mighty tempest in the sea, v. 4. God has the winds in His treasure
(Psalms 135:7
He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; He sends lightning with the
rain
and brings out the wind from His storehouses.),
and out of these treasures God sent forth, He cast forth (so
the word is), with force and violence, a great wind into the sea;
even stormy winds fulfil His word, and are often the messengers of
His wrath; He gathers the winds in His fist -
Proverbs 30:4 Who has gone up to
heaven and come down?
Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of His hands?
Who has wrapped up the waters in His cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and the name of His son?
Jehová Shammah and
Immanuel
Tell me if you know! Jehová is here where I am and there when I go
elsewhere
where He holds them, and whence He squeezes them when He pleases; for though, as to us, the wind blows where it listeth, yet not as to God, but where He directs.
The effect of this wind as a mighty tempest; for when the winds rise the waves rise. Note, Sin brings storms and tempests into the soul, into the family, into churches and nations; it is a disquieting and disturbing thing. The tempest prevailed to such a degree that the ship was likely to be broken; the mariners expected no other; that ship (so some read it), that and no other. Other ships were upon the same sea at the same time, yet, it should seem, that ship in which Jonah was was tossed more than any other and was more in danger. This wind was sent after Jonah, to fetch him back again to God and to his duty; and it is a great mercy to be reclaimed and called home when we go astray, though it be by a tempest.