‘So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.'
Then they took up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and no doubt to their great astonishment, discovered that the sea immediately began to quieten down and eventually ceased from its raging. Here was evidence of the mercy of YHWH, for He had heard their cry and had done what they asked, revealing that YHWH was not only the God of Israel but the God of all men, and was the answerer of prayer to all who truly called on Him. This is the first example in the book of God's willingness to respond in mercy to whoever calls on Him, and is the prime message of the book.