Useful Bible Studies > Jonah Commentary > chapter 1
The captain had responsibility for the boat, and authority over its sailors. During the terrible storm, he used his authority to organise the work that each man did. He expected that every man, including the passengers, would use their best efforts to save the boat. The lives of them all depended on it.
So, it astonished the captain to discover that Jonah was sleeping during the storm. Even if Jonah did not have the strength to work, it was still his duty to pray, the captain said. Jonah must wake up and pray desperately to his God. That was what the captain told him. All the sailors were praying desperately to their false gods.
The captain did not yet know that Jonah served the true God. The captain thought that Jonah’s God was like the false gods of the other sailors. The captain too had his own religion, and he was praying to his god. He did not know which of those many gods might act to save their lives; he did not know who is the true God. He only knew that human effort was not enough to save the boat. He and his men had done everything that they knew, but without success. Only God could save them now.
However, even after Jonah woke, there is no record that he prayed. Instead, he explained to the sailors that he was running away from God (1:10). For that reason, God would not hear his prayers (see Isaiah 59:1-2). Jonah was still not ready to confess his wrong behaviour to God and to turn back to God.
Next part: The lots select Jonah (Jonah 1:7)
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