Pope Shenouda III
Jonah
They were people who had hearts prepared for God to work in. They were endeavoring to find God's will in order that they might carry it out. When the sea ceased its raging by their throwing Jonah into it they were assured of the presence of God in the matter. They believed in the Lord, offered Him a sacrifice and made vows. In their belief in the Lord they not only believed that He was God but by offering Him a sacrifice they professed their belief in the propitiation of blood.
Thus God triumphed in the first battle and fulfilled the salvation of the mariners through Jonah's disobedience.
Now there remained two other important things in God's design of salvation: the salvation of the Ninevites and the salvation of Jonah.
.