Relationship between Humans and Divinity
Trust: A Necessity in a Relationship between Divinity and HumansThe basic theme of the writer of the Book of Job is to establish an understanding of the relationship between God and His people. God's wisdom and power are visible everywhere in creation. A willingness to look and accept what is obvious results in awe for the Creator. The clear purpose of this tale is to teach humankind that the true path to salvation and favor from God is by trusting the fate he provides for humanity. He shows the three wrong stances to take through examples of Job's friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zopher, all three of whom place the blame upon Job and presume to know the ways of God. He also shows that challenging God to prove his way is unacceptable, we are simple human beings and cannot presume to ask to explain him to us. He reinforces this when God says, "Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it"(p. 97). All in all, he shows what not to do, it cautions against ever making God "angry" through your thoughts and actions, no matter what is inflicted on you. He wants all humans to place trust upon God in times of pleasure and also in moments of misery.
Aeschylus gives a message that divinity is to lead us through life. He portrays this guidance in the relationship between Orestes and Apollo. Apollo is the god of light, and light is the source in which provide guidance for all of humanity. He is setting the stage for Apollo to provide the light in which to guide Orestes. Apollo guidance does not always seem right, but Orestes should never doubt his guidance because after all Apollo is divine. Orestes kills his own mother from the guidance of Apollo. Apollo replies that it is the will of the divine for here to be beheaded. He shows humans trust in the gods guidance through this act of matricide. Then, Apollo provides a prophecy off the torment that the furries will place upon Orestes as a result of this blood murder, yet he provides guidance for Orestes by saying, "Nevertheless keep racing on and never yield... Never surrender, never brood on labor." Orestes listens to Apollo's advice and begins his journey to Athena. Apollo gives reassurance to Orestes by telling him, "No, I will never fail you, through to the end your guardian standing by your side or world away." This journey to Athens is symbolic of human's voyage through life, and he says that the gods provide guidance for all mortal life and it is left to humanity to trust the divine direction. While the writer of the Book of Job and Aeschylus portray a different view of trust between the gods and humans, both writers tell of an engagement between divinity and humans. Both include this interaction because they both feel that a meeting between humanity and the gods is a crucial part in the foundation of trust. The writers use this time in theirs stories for divinity to lead humanity in the right direction. Aeschylus uses the passage between Apollo and Orestes to lead Orestes to justice. While the writer of the Book of Job uses Job's discussion with God to answer the question of suffering. Both have complete trust in their gods that what is told to them is divine truth. This trust leads Job to righteousness and Orestes to justice. These two writers use this engagement to portray trust as a major element in a relationship between divinity and all human kind. Both Aeschylus and the writer of the Book of Job portray a relationship between divinity and humans based upon trust. Both writers exhibit trust in two forms. In the Book of Job he places the foundation of the relationship on joint trust. He shows how Job's faith in divinity's decisions are important in a leading a righteous life with God. Also, he tells of God's trust in Job's righteousness no matter the horrible suffering that Job endures. Aeschylus does not p
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Approximate Word count = 1797
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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