Matthew Henry Commentary Jonah 1:4-7

"But Jehovah sent out a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god; and they cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it unto them. But Jonah was gone down into the innermost parts of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah." — Jonah 1:4-7 (ASV)

God sent a pursuer after Jonah, namely, a mighty tempest. Sin brings storms and tempests into the soul, into the family, into churches, and nations; it is a disquieting, disturbing thing. Having called upon their gods for help, the sailors did what they could to help themselves. Oh, that people would be so wise for their souls, and would be willing to part with that wealth, pleasure, and honor, which they cannot keep without making shipwreck of faith and a good conscience, and ruining their souls forever!

Jonah was fast asleep. Sin is stupefying, and we are to be careful that our hearts are not at any time hardened by its deceitfulness. What do people mean by continuing to sleep in sin, when the word of God and the convictions of their own consciences warn them to arise and call on the Lord, if they are to escape everlasting misery? Should we not warn each other to awake, to arise, to call upon our God, if perhaps He will deliver us?

The sailors concluded the storm was a messenger of Divine justice sent to someone in that ship. Whatever evil is upon us at any time, there is a cause for it; and each must pray, Lord, show me why You contend with me. The lot fell upon Jonah. God has many ways of bringing to light hidden sins and sinners, and revealing that folly which was thought to be hidden from the eyes of all living.