Gilgamesh/Jesus
The Mesopotamian myth story of "Gilgamesh" and the Gospel of John in the New Testament are both stories of men, part God and part man, whose journeys lead them far across the Earth. Their trials are somewhat similar, yet their outlooks are very different. Gilgamesh, the protector of his people, and Jesus, the prophet of his people, may have lived differently, had they existed in the other's time. However, assuming that Jesus would have remained true to himself, as he was depicted in the Gospel of John, he would not have retained the walls of Uruk. This paper will examine the reasons for this concept.
First, Jesus held the belief that man's testimony to him was useless, as was any testimony given by himself about his actions, and that testimony about his life should only come from God. In John 2:25, the scripture states that "he did not need man's testimony." Again, in John 5:36, Jesus states that "I have testimony weightier than that of John." He continues in Jon 5:41 that "I do not accept praise from men."
In addition, Jesus believes that glory for the self means nothing. In John 5:30, Jesus introduces this idea by stating that "I seek not to please myself, but him who sent me." He continues in Jon 5:31 by stating that if he testifies about himself, the testimony is not valid, and implies that God's testament is the only true form. He reiterates this in John 8:50 by saying he is not seeking glory for himself, but for God. Jesus also states that glorification of himself means nothing, without the glorification of God (John 8:54).
This is in direct contrast to Gilgamesh's beliefs, and his feelings about the walls. The very first Tablet speaks of the "wall of Uruk-Haven," and of the greatness of that wall, as does Tablet 11. The testimony of the writer of the tablets discusses the "wall which gleams like copper," and implies that no one can equal the great man who constructed the wall. In addition, the first Tablet describes the bricks used in the wall of Uruk, made from kiln-fired brick, and construction plans laid out by the Seven Sages. This kind of admiration, according to Jesus, should only be held for the work of God.
In addition, in Tablet VI, the wall is against held in controversy in relation to Princess Ishtar,.daughter of Anu and Anrum. Ishtar, in admiration of Gilgamesh, offers to be his bride, but is refused. In revenge, Ishtar gains access to the Bull of Heaven, and sets it loose on Uruk. Gilgamesh and Enkidu slay it, and Ishtar "went up onto the top of the Wall of Uruk-Haven, cast herself into the pose of mourning, and hurled her woeful curse," that of woe to Gilgamesh. The death of Enkidu is later revealed, in Tablet VII, to de a direct result of the killing of the Bull, as a response from the Gods. The wall here seems to represent the vengeance from Ishtar and the Gods and since Jesus taught that "if you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven" (John, 20:23), it is unlikely he would have supported a wall, symbolizing the vengeance of Ishtar.
Aside from the wall conflicting with Jesus' beliefs about the testament of man, the wall also conflicts with Jesus' belief about what man can accomplish without God. In John 5, as the Jews are attempting to persecute him for working on the Sabbath, Jesus states that "the son can do nothing by himself...," (John, 5:19). Again, in John 5:19, Jesus reiterates that "By myself, I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear." Here, Jesus is referring to the judgment of God, and of man's inability to achieve salvation without God.
The walls of Uruk again counterbalance this belief. The wall, and the "the lapis lazuli tablet" describing "how Gilgamesh went through every hardship" (Tablet I) are meant as a testament to the memory of Gilgamesh, and of his journeys. To Jesus "zeal for your house will consume" him (John, 2:17).
In addition, the journey of Gilgamesh was not one in sync with the path of Jesus. Jesus states in John 6:38 that "I have come down from heaven not to do my will, but to do the will of he who sent me." He continues in John 6:39 and 6:40 by discussing the fact that the will of God is for him to raise up his people...
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