The sailors’ salvation
This exegetical article examines Jonah 1:4-17 to demonstrate how God's sovereign providence works through human disobedience to accomplish the salvation of pagan sailors. Hanko argues that these non-Israelite men were among God's elect, brought to genuine faith and fear of the Lord through the divinely orchestrated storm and Jonah's casting overboard, illustrating God's gracious purposes extending beyond Israel.
Jonah 1:4-17 That God turns all things to good is evident in the salvation of the sailors who threw Jonah into the sea. We know nothing of these men, who they were and where they were from, how many of them there were, or what gods they worshiped. We know only that God used Jonah's disobedience and flight for their salvation, and that therefore they too were among God's chosen, among the few outside of Israel who were His in the Old Testament. When their voyage began these sailors were still...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org