Gilgamesh Book Of Job Analysis

In both the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Book of Job, the gods and God play pivotal roles in their journeys. Each is sent on a journey in which they are put through trials to overcome. Both are tragic, but through the misfortunes they display the faults we have as humans. For instance, in the Book of Job, Job struggles with trust and faith in what God has promised, which is eternal life. Meanwhile, Gilgamesh struggles with the same idea of death; he seeks a solution to an everlasting life. In the book of Gilgamesh, the gods blessed Gilgamesh with a perfect body, beauty, courage, made him two-thirds god and only one-third man, and even made him a king. Qualities like this helped him throughout his journey. The Hebrew God blessed Job with an immense
Gilgamesh’s gods view blessings in a vanity sort of way, things that are more self-pleasing and prideful whereas, the Hebrew Bible displays blessings as things that are the exact opposite. Job’s blessings did not help him along the way; God took them away to show to Satan that he was faithful to Him, to show Job that you do not need the things of this life, but only the Lord your God. He was tested in how strong his faith and trust was in God, even after God took everything away, he still did not curse God, but did question him. The gods from Gilgamesh and the God from the Hebrew Bible both interacted by providing assistance throughout their journey by giving words of wisdom. Gilgamesh received wisdom from Utnaptishim relating to the story of the flood and God tells Job not to question the one who created him and everything in the universe (respectively page 23 140-163, page 36 ch. 38). They differ because Job was compliant and blameless throughout his tribulations whereas, Gilgamesh was considered to be like a god. He wasn’t submissive to anyone, but
Therefore Mesopotamians did not view their gods as holy and almighty. Followers of God depicted him as the Alpha and the Omega. No one can be like Him; he is the only one you seek for eternal life and for all of your needs. Therefore, his followers were obedient and loyal to him only. Gods of Mesopotamia thought that different gods could grant them different things so they worshipped and glorified each one during different times of their lives. For instance if they were seeking love or fertility they would pray to Ishter (page 19). Gods of Mesopotamia provided knowledge, but wisdom and father like qualities are of God. God shows his wisdom when answering Job (page 36 ch.38) and Job shows his submissiveness when speaking back to God (page 37 ch.42). Job says, “I know that you are all-powerful: what you can conceive, you can perform. I was the man who misrepresented your intentions with my ignorant words. You have told me about your great works that I cannot understand, about marvels which are beyond me, of which I know nothing. Before, I knew you only hearsay but now, having seen you with my own eyes, I retract what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes.” Furthermore, the people of God repent for their sins where Gilgamesh did not confide in the gods for