Jonah 1:7-17 - Recognise the anointing

The sailors cast lots to find out who was to blame, and the blame fell on Jonah. This is far from being the only incident of casting lots in the Bible, the remaining apostles cast lots to make the final decision on a replacement for Judas. The Bible sees God as being in control of all things. 

Anyway, the lot having fallen on Jonah, the sailors confront him. He tells them he is a Hebrew, and the sailors are full of fear. Clearly the reputation of the Lord had spread beyond the borders of Israel. They knew that Jonah must have done something against God to bring this disaster on them. Often the unbelievers can be more spiritually aware than the "believers". 

Jonah then suggested that they throw him overboard. So even though Jonah is acting in disobedience to God, he still has some good character left. We need to cultivate our character. There will still be times when we get things wrong, and even times when we deliberately do things wrong, but even in these times our good character will help to get us back on the right track.

The sailors were reluctant to do this, and did so only after they had tried everything else, and sought God's mercy. Jonah was thrown over the side. The storm stopped and the men feared the Lord. The anointing of God was upon Jonah, so even in this situation he brought faith to people (despite himself!). We need to recognise the anointing that is on our own lives.
Then as we know, after Jonah was thrown overboard a great fish swallowed him up. God's plans go beyond our understanding. He has things in mind of which we know nothing. God never tells us everything.