Brother Michael Sky
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Posts posted by Brother Michael Sky
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vanish = they're taken off the site due to copyright violations
oooh, not much to do about that... I try to use official videos whenever possible... they are usually safe to link to... and theres almost always duplicates out there... just gotta find another....
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close your eyes Raven....
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not sure what you mean there Rose... give us some more to go on... what do you mean they disappear?
do you hear the footsteps?
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so all 3 siblings informed me I am a bad person , and my siblings significant others . I am really feeling disconnected and as much as i have helped these people i keep getting told i am an awful person ..maybe I just am
You wouldn't believe how bad I've been told I've been.... seemed pretty good to me at the time tho.... Certain folks around feel I'm sooo terribly bad as to warrant Hell and Eternal Punishment....
But between you and I: .... they were simply upset that I didn't support their OWN particular idea of Bad or Good.....
I do say a prayer that Our Father will help them with their Judgement issues....
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I did want to thank you for your most interesting comment above, Rev Al.
I think Jonah is one of the hardest stories for Christians to believe actually happened...giant fish and all.
Perhaps we can keep this thread open for any comments on Jonah since I plan on commenting on the entire book.
Thanks for your interest. Peace.
RR
Rev Rainbow, I hope to be able to contribute with some questions as you go along with your commentary.
There are stories in the bible which interest me more than the majority. This is one of those stories.
I am reminded of the old adage " If you want to effectively hide something, hide it in plain sight. "
I am of the belief that there are hidden concepts within the text which are meant to be found by those who have a slightly different understanding than the " typical " Christian. I believe the story of Jonah to be one of those stories...
I will wait for the appropriate time to chip in, and hopefully life will conspire to allow me to be here at the right moment...
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Rev. Rainbow,
Well actually, that was sort of the idea, to make a place for commenting on your Jonah series. I also wish to thank you for using this story from Scripture as it is one usually overlooked for more dynamic subject matter...but then, what could be more dynamic than being stuck in a whale belly for three days?!
I think another "overlooked" issue with this story, the sagas of Nordic beliefs and many other traditional and non-traditional sources, is the relevance of the number three. It seems this has been a "sacred" number since long before the writers of any book appeared on the scene. The välknut, or three-way-knot, which some know as a triscalon, has been found in archeological digs world wide dating as far back as 15,000 BCE. Many academics "think" this is due to the sacred bond between a mother, father and child which has been prompted forward into our history, sagas and religious beliefs.
Regardless of the origins and whether secular or religious, three has significance in the Holy-Father, Holy-Son and Holy Spirit, it also has meaning for Holy Father, Holy Mother, Holy Earth as a triune, and of course the numerous other connotations regarding the "3". It even has dominance in some of the really esoteric "cults" as High, Middle and Lower Self or Supra-, Sub- and Conscious states of being.
I guess we may never know exactly what the significance of 3 is or how it applies to our daily lives, but until then, I simply try to see all the ways that connect things, as being much more relevant than issues, or numbers, that tear things apart. To me, the quest for common ground in Beliefs is far more interesting than sticking to the process of dismantling and breaking down things we don't fully understand.
Blessings of Peace,
The question you pose has been one of those swirling, nagging things that obsesses my consciousness in waves that crash and bubble, leaving me submerged in my ignorance.....
I have had experiences of Sacred Geometry that give rise to an awesome, unquenchable thirst to understand.
At a certain point in my experiences in deepest meditation numbers,geometric shapes, and mathematical concepts swirl and blend into the images and shapes I am witnessing...
I feel I have been at the proper vantage to see that on the " underside " of the reality that we witness, supporting and developing that reality, occur mathematical and geometric LAWS which play out like the metronomic ticking of a clock... An unending series of cause and effect play out like an immutable, unstoppable equation which must work itself out to reveal the sum total of conscious existence...
I witness these things and I understand exactly the nature of the Gears of Reality. I am filled with Hope and Love. I see that we started this voyage with Gladness and that we will end it in Joyous Homecoming. And all the while we are cradled in the awesome, infallible, sustaining and providing equations meant for exactly such a task....
Then I return from my vantage, the veil settles slowly back upon my mind and I DESPERATELY WANT TO KNOW - what was that about the number 7 that was soooo special a few moments ago?
I know there is a message in the number 3 which is directed at consciousness, meant to cause my curiosity to search for an answer - but where shall I start?
I KNOW there is an algorithm which will determine my spiritual ascension - How do I learn what it is? - how shall I implement it?
Does any of that even matter to my advancement? must I understand, or is it simply a gift for me? Must I be satisfied with the knowledge that THERE IS a very specific destination we are headed for, which we will arrive at when the equations are all played out, and never fully experience the equations themselves with any understanding?
I really, really want to know.....
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Why you devils! Ha! Put something up so simple! I only looked at our profile pages when searching for info, I didn't see a link (doesn't mean it wasn't there) to http://ulc.net/index...ister_directory so I didn't even thunk of that one!
You guys should be PI's...or do I need to pay more attention?
Blessings of Peace,
...and thanks, now I have my listing done correctly!....finally!
begin enjoying warm fuzzy feeling in: 5, 4, 3 , 2 ,1....... Tah Daaaaaaah......
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Rabbi, thank you for turning my scowl into a smile. I still hope that it rains on them, but maybe not so hard.
(gee, I call for a little rain or hail and you would think I asked for fire and brimstone!)
I didn't mean to criticize your feelings..... but Christians the world over have standing orders against judgement.... and " Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. " Romans 12:19
and history gives us the impetus to hold that thought close to our Christian Hearts....
Many times I have wondered "How does that person consider themselves Christian?" - It is really hard not to.... I need to constantly ( at times ) remind myself to "allow room for God's wrath", and continually put my best effort into portraying MY version of a proper Christian...
Rev. Rainbow, of course I am as outraged as you at the things that go on there, but I believe there are folks all over who are receiving a little bit of clarity thanks to the shenanigans these people engage in... My Faith in our Father gives me a sneaky sort of glee to know he is using their bigotry to teach a lesson in humble Forgiveness and Love... They shout their hate at the world and Our Father uses it to instill a sense of Unity and Harmony in those who truly recognize Him....
It is not possible that Our Father should have less than total control over what happens there - but I do not claim to understand the manner of his Teaching... I struggle to understand - but I trust....
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Couldn't this be seen as a lesson for Christians everywhere?
It is easy to be outraged by our disagreement with these people's beliefs, but I DO wonder how illumination will come to those who are inundated by such harsh negativity......
Do we do them a service by responding in kind? or is our responsibility to raise them from ignorance?
Do we honor an obligation as a Christian by shouting louder and harsher, or simply and quietly portraying OUR version of a proper Christian?
I believe as Hex said - they will reap what they are sowing - we must beware, for we do the same....
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twas my thought.....
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I missed this thread last night when I found my way back here....
I apologize for any worry I may have caused.
I have indeed been ill, and I have had problems maintaining an internet connection. I'm in the country, so there is not the option of driving to the local library or community college ( too many folks using too few connections )...
I have been concentrating on getting well and building my strength back up...
Because I always thoroughly intended to be back here annoying folks as soon as possible....
I sincerely apologize if my sudden absence is construed as rudeness - but be assured I have missed the friends I have found here. I value the people I have come to know here, and though I feel a close connection at all times - I realize this may not be true for all...
Thank You for your concern, my friends. I am well enough, and My finances are straightening themselves back out... I should be able to return with regularity soon...
and folks..... I'm listed in the Directory... y'all who know me, may search by location....
edit: that could be the answer Al.... I do not get an inordinate number of prank calls - and sometimes folks call for a pep talk... LOL.. it hasn't been a problem to be listed...
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Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble - The Boathouse in Va Beach
ZZ top - Hampton Coliseum - backstage passes...
The Grateful Dead - RFK
Pink Floyd - Charlotte NC ( i think - it's all fuzzy ) open Air Stadium
Jackson Brown - pavilion in Va Beach
Loverboy - Hampton Coliseum
Ozzy Osborne - Hampton Coliseum
Cheap Trick - Hampton Coliseum
Duran Duran - with cheap trick above - would you believe Cheap Trick was the opener?
L7 - small bar in Ocean View, Va - those girls were nuts !!
Ronnie James Dio - somewhere in Va Beach... it's all a blur...
I'm forever finding ticket stubs I had forgotten about...
for many years when I was younger there was a bar in Ocean View, Va which was on the Heavy Metal circuit - I saw hundreds of budding metal bands - some made it - most didn't...
likewise at all the festivals at Va Beach, I have seen all the bands on the radio that I have been interested in for years... I couldn't count them.
I'm severely jealous that someone here saw Manson and not me......
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my prayers are added as well.
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I wanted to make a few folks here, who might be interested, aware of a book I picked up at Ollie's ( a discount store )... I just dug it out to study it...
This is a remarkable book not only for it's size - it's 17"X24" - but also for the spiritual nature of the subject.
It' is a book of Paintings which cover the Buddhist and Hindu dieties and bodhisattvas. Many of the paintings are Mandalas. The paintings are rendered full page, which makes for an impressive spectacle...
the cover
and a few examples from within..
Dakini Mandala
The Cosmos of Healing
two side by side
the entire book is filled with these images ( 61 pages ), and the best part was - it cost less than 10$
the book is from Mandala Publishers and is entitled Celestial Gallery by Romio Shrestha.
I don't want to even look to see what this book originally cost... check your discount stores......
edit : there is a very informative foreword by Deepak Chapra .....
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There is a type of Buddhist meditation -- I think the technique is called "Mindfulness -- where we watch thoughts passsing through the mind. We don't attach importance to the thought, we just watch the thought pass through.
It is not the origen of the thought that matters. It is how we react to the thought and what we do with it.
however on an advanced level, when one has mastered non-attachment, they may indeed search for the source of these thoughts. It is an important step to realize EXACTLY where these surface thoughts originate, and why...
I am more inclined to take my instruction from Hatha Yoga sources...
Traditional Yoga and meditation of the Himalayan Masters
Definition of Yoga: The first four sutras define Yoga, with that definition being expanded upon in the other sutras. In a systematic process of meditation, you gradually move your attention inward, through all the levels of your being, gaining mastery along the way (1.2). Eventually you come to rest in your true nature, which is beyond all of those levels (1.3). This action and the realization of this center of consciousness, is the meaning of Yoga.
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I would like to hear everyone's opinion on whether they believe they are responsible for their thoughts and dreams.
Many times it seems as if just random stuff starts entering my mind, and I wonder about the origins of thoughts and dreams and emotions. Some times the thoughts are of the most vile and evil nature and I question if whether these thoughts are creations of my own mind or are they being projected into it from some external source. On the other side of the coin there are times when information enters our minds that we have no reasonable explanation for being aware of.
So my question is should we be held responsible for traffic that passes through our awareness in our waking and dreaming states or should our responsiblities rely on how much focus we place upon individual thought forms?
I believe that we hold every bit of creating which could, and possibly does affect others, against ourselves... no one is judging us, but we are our own harshest critic, and the record of creation holds every instance where our thoughtlessness has impinged upon another's free will. We all intend to clear that record to the best of our ability... The idea here is that we will come to recognize the affects of our creating and begin to take conscious control... once it is attained - time for a new class....
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I do try, Brother Michael. I do try. Answers come to me in peace and suddenly I feel myself smiling and I know, theres nothing I need to understand. It will all be made known when the time is right.
you will never know the admonitions I have received for impatience....
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One thing I am sure of... There are many ways to translate the experiences of our spiritual nature. Never have I had a spiritual experience that had one aspect - there have always been multiple meanings which take me quite a while to understand... and I have never had someone effectively understand my dreams... they may get portions right ( maybe even enough to convince me they are on to something ) but there are always aspects which are not understandable by others...
And also - I have never met two individuals which have the same experiences... Focusing on another's Truth ( especially when we see a value in it ), to the exclusion of our own Truths, is an easy thing to do at times... but we must ALL do our own searching - for Truth may come to us differently... We are too limited in the flesh to see the whole picture... No one person has all the answers... we must start from a solid base, and build our understanding from our very own perspective...
Rev Irma, your dreams would drive me nuts... I would be in a constant state of meditation until I glimpsed the ideas which are running in circles in my subconscious... and got a handle on their unraveling...
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parallel PHYSICAL universes? wouldn't mean much to me... I live in this one... and any portion of me that is there, is doing the same thing I am here - looking upwards...
ok.... I'm gonna get a little deep here.....
This is from an experience which I have not thoroughly processed yet, but I share it because it fits the question...
ever since I learned of Karma, and the truth about reincarnation, I had this picture in my head. I pictured a long line of lifetimes stretching back to a time which is so far back as to be seemingly infinite... all the lifetimes I have been able to witness seemed to happen one after another.... in an unbroken line.... until this one time, when searching my subconscious for the root of an issue which has been a thorn in my side.... something peculiar happened...
I realized - all of a sudden, and it shocked and confused me for quite a while - that I had the sequence wrong....
some of these lifetimes were out of sequence as relates to physical dates...
This was quite confusing as I had figured that I finally understood how incarnating happens.... but I was mistaken...
To help explain what I figured out, I will need to use an image....
I had previously had a picture in my mind to try to understand my history.... it was like a line on a graph - stretching from point to point, upwards at times, downward at times... but always connected from point to point...
when my points started crossing and merging in places where they could not be touching, I became confused and lost my grip on the idea... so I began searching for the answer, I needed another mental picture.......
I meditated for months - opening my mind to the answer, and asking for instruction so that I might get a handle on this issue, so that I might continue digging through my subconscious for the root of that problem I was dealing with...
During one exceptionally deep meditation I found my instruction - a mental image was solidly in my mind when I cam back to myself.
The image is a spider's web - in the center is me. not just any me - but ME. The root of the various aspects which is my pleasure and duty to manifest.
there are levels to a spider's web - sometimes in a spiral ( which is ideal ) and sometimes in consecutive layers ( when there are very base choices to make in ones development )...
At all times my development takes place somewhere on this web... but the interesting thing is that it is NOT a consecutive - there are lifetimes which are represented by the junction of lines in this web, each junction on the web is a separate lifetime... but they are all taking place simultaneously....
The importance of this keeps occurring to me in different ways...
the main thing is this : Each and every incarnation is actively affecting each and every other lifetime...
for example - if I, in one particular lifetime - am able to increase my vibration to the point of approaching the next octave, it will positively affect each and every other lifetime... conversely, if I fail to try to improve my lot, and move away from my duty, and allow my vibration to fall, it affects me in every lifetime on my web.... I am of the impression that if every aspect of myself were to actively seek enlightenment constantly - it would be a short trip home.... but that is not how it works... each incarnation ( with the exception of a few ) is completely unaware of the others - and finds itself in various mental states, affected by the themes I have chosen as a learning exercise... and is affected by the " average " vibration of my incarnations, which is constantly in flux....
This has explained so many things that were previously causing me great difficulty. The seemingly random changes in my mindset I discovered in my deepest meditations were very confusing to me, as I have been working on mental stability for quite a while with no seeming progress, I felt I had " hit a wall " and could make no further progress... but this answer gave me an understanding of where this resistance was coming from....and that my attempts were not in vain - I simply had a much larger job than I had realized... my efforts are being " shared " by a countless array of me's.... some of whom have the slightest interest in things which are not physically based, and are not helping things in the least - are actually causing me to regress...
This is something which came to me in stages... the understanding of it came naturally and slowly... and for me - it is a revelation - it will make a great difference in my efforts...
there is one " rule " I have noticed in my spiritual exercises.... the strength of your desire, will determine the degree of success... I WANTED, NEEDED an answer to this debacle.... and I would not put the question down until I reached an understanding which allowed me to move forward... what it boils down to, IMO, is " how bad do you want it? ".... this is applicable EVERYWHERE....
and I see this whole thing as proof positive of separate " dimensions "... but I feel, beyond the understanding of these things for spiritual enlightenment, there is next to no purpose in exploring other " physical " dimensions - for I am already there.... doing my thing.... my attention goes to spiritual realms - where I am bound, when I have mastered physical life.... and where all those other me's will end as well - as we merge together - reaching higher and higher, and doing the will of our Father....
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So what if parallel universes really do exist?
parallel PHYSICAL universes? wouldn't mean much to me... I live in this one... and any portion of me that is there, is doing the same thing I am here - looking upwards...
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I see several intelligent comments above, I also see where many of us, myself included, have difficulty understanding things of the Supra-consciousness, which of course is limited due to our "Human Condition". I often have doubts as to whether or not we, in this human form, are suppose to understand these things. One of the "issues" I've always had with the levels of thought, physical, the Now, here on up to and through the Supra - conscious....ethereal, Universal, the "Ultimate thought" process.
Perhaps, these are things our humanity was never meant to know as we certainly seem to drive ourselves crazy trying to find the answers to it all!
I mean what if...a BIG What if....someone who had actually been to, seen with their own eyes and consciousness, this "place" of the highest intelligence, a place of the Collective Consciousness, could they even begin to explain to the rest of us "what" it was like? I'm not so sure as the rest of humanity would still be thinking and looking at the event through non-experienced eyes and thoughts. If a hundred, thousand or million people had "gone to" this place of awe and wonder, would the rest of humanity believe it or like everything else counter-mand, mistrust and disclaim those who had "been there"?
I know there is at least one person here who understands where I'm coming from on this angle. Even together it would be a monumental task to get others to understand, even believe such a place exists. So then as individuals, we can make our claims and do the best we can to get others to at least embrace the concept, even if relating details would be a bit much,
OR
keep it to themselves, exchange experiences only with those who have seen it, been there etc..
Which best serves humanity?
It's sorta like the food thing in Rev. Rainbow's topic, until you've actually tasted it, you really don't know....and getting beyond our human emotions and preconceived concepts about things...well...y'all know.
Blessings of Peace,
There is a very simple reason I am willing to discuss these subjects... when I looked for validation for the things which occurred to me, I was unable to find much out there that didn't have " crazy " written all over it... I looked for words which related something similar to what I was going through and was at a loss.... I KNOW I am not the only one out there who needs a little bit of support... there are others out there, right now, who are looking for the words I share... I pray they find them, so that they may continue their journey on a little more even keel... and with a little more trust in themselves...
whether I actually converse with someone who has had the same experiences as me doesn't matter from my view... these words will remain for a while - in case they come looking late...
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I do not doubt this, however, did these conscious beings exist prior to the human existence, or is this feild of consciousness the evolutionary consciousness of those who have lived and died?
This one is very easy for me. Consciousness has ALWAYS been. the physical is but a tiny portion of reality...
If our thoughts and feelings are imbedded in our energy feild, they must also be with us when we join source energy, thus the creation of a conscious feild.
what you are referring to is the Akashic Record - the recording of every moment of every soul, since the creation of individuals. It appears to me as an effect, and is not the Source... The Source, or Creator, has it's own consciousness, and our goal is reunion with that consciousness. I DO wonder if there is a consciousness within the Record itself though, at times... but I have no experiences which would infer that - just a feeling I get ( and could very well be a misunderstanding.. )...
The purity of the feild is explained by the cleansing that occurs in the tunnel of light when we first see the reflection of source energy, which in effect is actually our own true self which we are not familiar with.
the purity of the Field - in each dimension in where it resides the purity of the Field is directly related to it's signature vibration. The closer you get to the source, the purer the environment, the higher the vibration. The " tunnel of Light " is a common visual for the rapid increase or decrease in vibration - a visual representation of change... most commonly experienced when one leaves the physical ( where one is leaving the environment of this planet, with the shadows and haze which surrounds us ( which I have explained repeatedly )...
All negative components are redistributed back to the physical plane. This is the reason for all the negative energy here, on earth.
The reason for all the negative energy here is MANKIND.... we have created it, we maintain it, and it will remain until we do something about it... it is daunting to know that the creations of ages wait for our attention to remedy - but that is how it is, IMO... It directly relates to your question about Creating one's own Reality, and magical thinking.... doesn't feel so " magical " to realize how many half-formed, ignorant creations we have waiting for our attention... and the work which must be done to clear up the mess we have made...
In my model, consciousness arose from the creation of particles. The first inklings of consciousness occured when the first particle reacted to its environment and all other particles. This was not a thought reaction, but a sense reaction. I do not believe intelligent consciousness arose until sentient life was born and particle consciousness gained sight, hearing, smell and taste.
Prior to this, sense consciousness was merely awareness of duality: light and dark, hot and cold, dry and wet, solid and liquid.
I believe you have this backwards... you are trying to gauge consciousness by a vantage which is so far from Reality, that a misunderstanding is inevitable... from a place where we have so much confusion about what consciousness is....
now these are obviously my opinions, based on my experiences... I make no claims that I am right - I am most probably misunderstanding many things... but some of these ideas seem very concrete to me at this time...
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I feel I have experienced the Intelligent consciousness of Creation. I will not say I understood what it was I was experiencing fully, but in my mind - there's no question - nothing else would exist if That Consciousness had not desired it's presence...
This is a question that I believe is the first one answered when one has an experience of Altered Realities... The very first time I " slipped " unconsciously from my body, I was engulfed in a consciousness which was so huge, as to be all encompassing... I was cradled and comforted, and assured I was not dreaming... I do not experience that Consciousness regularly - but when I find myself in great need, it is there for me.... as are many, many created beings......
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If you have ever been unjustly accused, there is always a grain of doubt ( as to a person's intentions )...... He has my prayers..
Commentary On - Jonah, Something Fishy - Revrainbow
in Stories & Texts Archive
Posted · Edited by Brother Michael Sky
Glad to see RabbiO amongst the thread, as I am about to go beyond my depth......
As usual when researching Religious subjects, one will find opinions which are at odds. understanding Jonah the Prophet, of course, is an example of how imperfect our understanding of things ancient really is... Who was he, what affected his decisions in his story?.. what exactly is the message of the story? And is there more info about him in other religions?
Well, I have found that there IS disagreement on this subject. But what I have done is bring what I have found in my research forward, and I offer it as fodder for your curiosity - In no way do I claim that this is the only understanding... As usual I am hoping for some discussion with folks who have much more experience in these subjects than I... Feel free to suggest that I am completely misunderstanding everything I read, but please show me where I have made my mistakes.... I gotta tough skin, and I want to understand things in the most realistic way possible - so if my understanding disagrees with yours, feel free to blurt that right out.....
... and try to enlighten me through this dense noggin of mine...
I would like to establish who this Jonah guy was....
In the Bible....
II kings 14:25
Here is the mention of Jonah which tells us that he successfully prophesied the restoration of the boundaries of Israel during ( or before ) the reign of Jeroboam II. This, we find, are his prophet's credentials...
So Jonah is a proven accurate vessel of YHWH's message. He's the Real Deal - proven as such...
In Rabbinical Literature...
We find that there is a little trouble placing Jonah's lineage...there are some disagreements...but he is mentioned as the son of the woman of Zarephath that entertained Elijah....
uh oh, now we must look at Elijah...
and here we find something interesting... a story which has similar themes.... but a much more complicated story it is...
As the story goes: During the reign of Ahab we have Ahab meeting with Elijah at the House of Hiel. Hiel is the commander of Israel's army,he has lost his sons in battle and his position demands that honor be paid to him. God charges Elijah to go to him.
Elijah does not want to go.
Elijah is well known to lose his patience with the blasphemous speech of evil-doers, and as one who has gone against the divine injunction to rebuild Jericho ( Joshua 6:26 ), Elijah expects trouble...
God makes a deal with Elijah - That He knows that Elijah might go too far in his dislike for blasphemous speech, but will honor any imprecation that might, in his wrath, escape him,if he just goes and does God's bidding...
Now when Elijah gets to the meeting, Hiel is quick to speak up, and takes responsibility for bringing Joshua's curse down upon himself, But King Ahab speaks up, just as Elijah feared...
Ahab asks Elijah why Joshua's curse should be effective if Mose's injunction against worshipping idols has not meant trouble for him... He says
Elijah responds:And God honored His promise to Elijah and a drought and famine commence...
Ahab is terribly upset and seeks to persecute Elijah, Elijah hides out at a widows house to avoid Ahab...
God , who has compassion even upon the impious, tries to induce Elijah to release Him from His promise. First he dries up the stream where Elijah gets his water,Elijah is unaffected and holds his resolve.
Next he tries to change Elijah's mind by causing the death of the son of the widow who shelters him.
Now this widow was a woman who was granted great merit by God on account of her worthiness compared to her neighbors and the city residents... and she was the mother of Jonah. She gave Elijah a great amount of respect in receiving him, and now feels that the Greatness of the Prophet Elijah in her home has caused God to lose sight of her, her virtues having become as naught in the presence of such a great prophet..
Elijah is greatly distressed by the suffering of such a good woman and beseechs God to amend the situation, and revive the child.
God tells Elijah that He would like to help, but that the cure requires dew - which has been prohibited by Elijah's own intercession, and that he must release God from the promise of drought if a cure is to be effected. Elijah relents, Jonah is Raised, and Elijah goes off to deal with the non-repentant people... and the combat between God and Baal takes place on Mt. Carmel where Elijah invokes great signs and wonders...
So here we have Jonah - starting off in life as an instrument for God. Raised from the dead by Elijah himself, but witnessing at an early age the difficulties of being a prophet....
He goes on to receive his prophetic appointment from Elisha, under whose orders he anointed Jehu (II kings 9 )King of Israel, and charges him to destroy Ahab, his master.
The very next task Jonah is given is to proclaim the destruction of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem... which never happened, because the people had a change of heart and mercy was granted by God. So Jonah gets the reputation of " The false prophet " and gets a really sour taste for the Lord's forgiveness - just as Elijah had before him...
in General...
Jonah is the fifth in the group of 12 books referred to as the " minor prophets "... There is some question as to why it was included. Jonah is a midrash.
And this sets us up for the Book of Jonah....
edit: I have not even touched upon the muslim stories of Jonah....