Harmony of Jesus Christ Quieting the Sea
Posted:  March 2013

Business across the water
Psalm 107:23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
1. Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
2. Matthew 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
3. Mark 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
4. Luke 8:22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

Lord sends storm
Psalm 107:24-25 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
1. Jonah 1:4 But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
2. Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
3. Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
4. Luke 8:23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.

Waves go up to heaven and down to depths
Psalm 107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
1. Jonah 1:5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

Sailors do not know what to do
Psalm 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
1. Jonah 1:6 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. 7 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.

Call out to Lord
Psalm 107:28 Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
1. Jonah 1:8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? 9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. 10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him. Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. 11 Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous. 12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. 13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.14 Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O Lord, hast done as it pleased thee.
2. Matthew 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 3. Mark 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 4. Luke 8:24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

Lord calms sea
Psalm 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
1. Psalm 65:7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
2. Psalm 89:9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
3. Psalm 93:3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. 4 The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
4. Jonah 1:15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.
5. Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
6. Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Exalt the Lord
Psalm 107:30-32 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
1. Jonah 1:16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord, and made vows.
2. Matthew 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
3. Mark 4: 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
4. Luke 8:25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Questions

What does the sea represent?
The sea represents the dwelling place of Satan, death, and Hades

Beast rises from sea - Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Leviathan - Psalm 104:25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.

Sea gives up dead - Revelation 20:13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

Was it a normal storm?

The Lord raised the storm - Psalm 107:24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. 25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Why were the sailors so worried?
Hebrews trying to sail to Tarshish after Solomon had not made it.

Kings 22:48 Jehoshaphat made merchant ships to go to Ophir for gold; but they never sailed, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion Geber.

2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

Did the disciples know the prophecy?
They did not equate the prophecy to their current situation. A paradox if they had understood.

What was the business of the seamen?
Psalm 107:23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

Jonah's group was going to the mythical place of great gold and silver on the other side of the earth in the new world - 2 Chronicles 9:21 For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

Jesus Christ was going to preach the gospel to the poor - Matthew 11:4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me

Why did Jonah and Jesus Christ sleep?
Jonah knew why the storm had come and did not feel he could go to the Lord for help. Jesus Christ knew he had the protection of the Lord and knew this prophecy.

A shameful son sleeps during harvest - Proverbs 10:5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

Lord provides peace - Psalm 4:7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. 8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

What did Jesus Christ do that Jonah did not?
Jesus Christ kept his vow Jonah did not.

Deuteronomy 23:21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

Jonah did not pay vow - Jonah 2:9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.

Jesus Christ did keep vow - Matthew 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

How is Jesus Christ exalted?
Psalm 107:32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Exalt Jesus Christ and be humble - Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Father has exalted Jesus Christ - Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Humble yourself so that you may in the future be exalted - 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Where was the boat going?
To the Gentiles - Tarshish - ends of the earth - New World (takes three years round trip)

Another continent (Gentiles) - Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

Gentiles (Mainly Greek people who settled in the region after the time of Alexander the Great's conquest.- Wikipedia) - Luke 8:26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Did Jesus Christ refer to this prophecy?
This verse is sometimes used to say that the law is fulfilled however it is prophecy that is fulfilled and there is little law in Psalms.

Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.