got this in the email recently. a modern satirical re-telling of the creation account (aka 'malaysia boleh' style)
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Once upon a time in the kingdom of Heaven , God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael the archangel found him, resting on the seventh day.
He inquired of God. "Where have you been?" God took a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made!"
Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?" "It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance." "Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused. God explained, pointing to different parts of earth. "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth while southern Europe is going to be poor. Over there I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a continent of black people," God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot while this one will be very cold and covered in ice." The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a land in the southern part of Asia and said, "What's that one?"
"Ah," said God. "That's Malaysia the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful beaches, mountains, streams, hills, and water falls.
The people from Malaysia are going to be very handsome, beautiful, modest, intelligent and humorous and they are going to be found traveling the world holding good jobs. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking and high-achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace, play great badminton and go to the Olympics." Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance!!!"
God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the clowns that will run their government."
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Once upon a time in the kingdom of Heaven , God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael the archangel found him, resting on the seventh day.
He inquired of God. "Where have you been?" God took a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made!"
Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?" "It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance." "Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused. God explained, pointing to different parts of earth. "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth while southern Europe is going to be poor. Over there I've placed a continent of white people and over there is a continent of black people," God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot while this one will be very cold and covered in ice." The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a land in the southern part of Asia and said, "What's that one?"
"Ah," said God. "That's Malaysia the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful beaches, mountains, streams, hills, and water falls.
The people from Malaysia are going to be very handsome, beautiful, modest, intelligent and humorous and they are going to be found traveling the world holding good jobs. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking and high-achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace, play great badminton and go to the Olympics." Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance!!!"
God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the clowns that will run their government."
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http://www.handfulwithquietness.com
those who hold on to conservative view would argue for jonah as the author and hence a 7th century bc dating. then the book is basically understood as a historical or biographical account of jonah. the book has nothing or little to do with ezra-nehemiah. the most it can be conceded is that the book may have been revised (last chapter added?) to meet the post-exilic needs.
those who lean more to a critical view usually date jonah to 5th century BC or some even later. it could then be a response to the exclusiveness of ezra-nehemiah's reformations or a response to the larger prevailing mood of the post-exilic period.
what's your stand?
the single reference in 2 kgs is just a mere mention of a person called jonah dating to 7th cent BC.
2Ki 14:25 He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath unto the sea of the Arabah, according to the word of Jehovah, the God of Israel, which he spake by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher.
not enough strong evidence that jonah written also in 7th cent BC. like book of daniel, an earlier person and historical context 're-used' for a later time and context.