God’s Disciplinary Love Sunday School Lesson, May 7, 2017
The reasons for the dilemma (1:7–9) 1:7. While the captain attempted to arouse Jonah (v. 6), the sailors concluded that the tragic storm was the result of divine wrath on the wrongdoing of some man on board. The casting of lots to determine a decision, in this case, to find a culprit, was common in Israel and other countries in the ancient Near East (cf. Lev. 16:8; Josh. 18:6; 1 Sam. 14:42; Neh. 10:34; Es. 3:7; Prov. 16:33; Acts 1:26). Perhaps marked stones were put in a container, and one was taken out. God expressed His sovereignty over Jonah’s affairs, causing the lot “fall” on His disobedient prophet. 1:8–9. Though rebellious against God’s command (cf. vv. 2–3) Jonah responded to the sailors’ barrage of five questions by stating with no uncertainty his nationality ( I am a Hebrew ) and the worth and power of His God. Though disobedient to God, Jonah at least knew what He is like. Jonah said that God is the Lord ( Yahweh ), the covenant-making and covenant-keeping God of Isra...