Jonah 1:15,16
“So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging. Then the men became extremely afraid of the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.”
These sailors had an intersection with God and a follower of Him. They were probably pantheistic. They respected the gods, but they had now run into the big one. This may be the last time they heard of Him. Another possibility is that they heard the rest of Jonah’s story. Whatever the case, they had limited knowledge of Him to take with them the rest of their lives.
This reminds me of the magi. They came from the Babylon region. They had learned about God from Daniel and the jews who were exiled their for 70 years. They knew what the jews shared with them. Interestingly enough they had learned to follow Christ’s star, as it would lead them to Christ. Daniel must have shared a prophecy about Christ that didn’t make the rest of scripture.
I believe some of these sailors remained faithful to God for the rest of their lives. They probably passed on what they knew. Jonah told them that he was a Hebrew, so they may have sought to learn about them and their God.
It also makes me think of those that may have received a page of the bible and developed a relationship with God from that. Limited knowledge. Not quite, but these are almost like those in Romans 1:14, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Seeing the perfection in nature and the world is proof there is a Creator. Some who don’t know of Jesus will end up in heaven as they used the knowledge God gave them responsibly. I don’t know how this will happen. God will work it out.
When I received Christ, I had limited knowledge of the relationship He wanted. He had me. After this my thoughts and heart were filled with Him. I talked of God often with many people. Believers or nonbelievers, I would talk with both of them. He was leading and guiding me. My mom and I stumbled upon christian television. That was a wealth of information. The bible was taught from their perspective. It was evangelistic and charismatic. Three months after that I met a seminary student. I would meet with him weekly for bible studies for over a year. This was amazing. I was being discipled.
A couple of months later I went to the local community college. There was a christian club in which I developed life long friends. We began to teach bible studies. A couple of years later I went to Calvary Chapel which gave me an amazing foundation in the bible.
God will lead those who fear Him. Even if they have limited knowledge. Thank You, Lord.