Faust and Job Essay

While he was yet speaking , there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee† (Bridge Builder’s Bible, Job. 1.12-16). Job loses his possessions, his children,and he suffers health wise. He becomes very ill, but no matter what life brought him he still remained faithful to God. Job could have easily given in as Faust did. In this life we have choices to make whether they be good or evil. We must suffer the consequences for every wrong deed we choose. It takes a strong will power to be determined to do right like Job. Faust believes there is a narrow limitation on the world in which he have been living until he interacts with Mephistopheles. Faust feels he knows enough about philosophy and heros of old legends. He now recalls for a divine law that proves that this action is the ruling force of the universe. This pact deal that was made was set up to fail Faust. Faust did not believe in a heaven or hell, which means he is betting his life rather than selling his soul. In Faust’s mind he is not sure if a eternal life even exists. If he gave up the world that he was living in he really felt that he would be just giving up something that dissatisfied him any way. Faust’s desires is not so much an evil one, but the idea that he has made this pact deal with the devil brings on many concerns about this decision he has made. The devil is unsure of his own ability to fulfill all the request that Faust made to him. However, the devil accepts these challenges and make sure the pact deal is signed in blood. Faust is very eager at this point to taste all the aspects of life that he thinks he have neglected. Although at first Faust rejects the offers made by Mephistopheles, he still ends up given in to this temptation. Faust should have kept his belief when saying, â€Å"the world’s pleasures cannot end his doubts or satisfy his needs† (Cliffnotes:Faust study iii). Faust is being taking advantaged of because Mephistopheles knows Faust’s weaknesses. He knows that Faust is striving to understand the universe and his place in it, while Mephistopheles has something totally different in mind from Faust. Faust just happened to be at the crossroads in his life. He was a very well-esteemed man and an intelligent scholar who was highly looked on. The book of Faust came out during the eighteenth centuries, so attitudes then may have had an impact on how people, in particular Goethe may have viewed life. During that time attitudes were focused more toward earthly life and beyond. Looking at Faust attitude compared to Job’s, I see that Job was strong while Faust was weak. I find them to be different from each other just by viewing who gave in to this trick. It is plain to see that Faust gave in and Job stood his ground. It means a whole lot when someone can stand their grounds and not be moved by nothing in this world. Job’s world was in turmoil, but this did not interfere with his faith nor the confidence he had. Satan was concerned with getting souls that he can keep for eternity. He used any tactics he could to seduce Faust. The Devil offered earthly things to blindfold Faust. The Lord did let Mephistopheles know that when he grants him permission to engage in Faust’s life, Faust will be fully aware of the righteous path, whether he chooses it or not. I believe at this point Faust is beginning to see Mephistopheles for who he really is. I had came to this conclusion personally when I read these lines: â€Å"Your real being no less than your fame Is often shown, sirs, by your name, Which is not hard to analyze When one calls you the Liar, Destroyer, God of Flies. Enough, who are you then? Part of that force which would Do evil evermore, and yet creates the good. What is it that this puzzle indicates? I am the spirit that negates. And rightly so, for all that comes to be Deserves to perish wretchedly;’Twere better nothing would begin. Thus everything that your terms, sin, Destruction, evil represent- That is my proper element. You call yourself a part, yet whole make your debut† (Goethe 705)? Mephistopheles was a smooth talking and slick which reminds me of Satan himself. Job at some point in his life wished he had never been born. How can anyone fault Job for feeling the way he did after going through these horrible storms in his life. He had to face these mountains and conquer his fears. I do understand Job was human, so he had a right to feel saddened or possibly even lonely. Faust longs to find something absolutely enduring so that he can end his alienation. He rather ignore reality just to have pleasures fulfilled for a few years rather than having something that will please him forever. Faust understands life, but he wants to dig deeper into the truth about supernatural things. In return for his search on this he turns to magic which leads him to making this pact deal with the devil in the first place. Satan plan he had for Job did not work as God said. Mephistopheles tries to criticize God by saying he made an imperfect world. However, he did help God carry out his will through using this pact deal with Faust. Satan main goal and purpose is to defeat God by taking over every soul. It is evidently true just reading: â€Å"And in return, what do you hope to take? There’s so much time so who insist? No, no! The Devil is an egoist And would not just for heaven’s sake Turn into a philanthropist. Make your conditions very clear; Where such a servant lives, danger is near† (Goethe 711). It is obvious that Mephistopheles is not on Faust side. Once he get him right where he wants him he is going to surely take his life. What good can come from someone when they encourage another human being to take their life. No friend would want to see you die. I consider that to be for someone who hates you and they must be cold-hearted. One comes to know good by knowing evil. A person can not come to know God without knowing this knowledge. True knowledge is gotten only from experience. Just like the Devil Mephistopheles often speaks the truth to get what he wants. Faust wanted much and he was never satisfied so greed began to take over his life. Job was satisfied with what God had given him and that is how he was able to stand on the word of God. He return for Job’s pain God restored to him everything that he had lost. He gave him back more than what he had before. Faust struggle with self worth causes him to have an inability to have faith in God. However, God does not give up on Faust. Believe it or not God gives us many chances in this world today because he has not given up on us either. God knew Faust struggled, but he allowed him to reach his low point in order to draw him back. Mephistopheles duty was to lead Faust down a dark road. If Satan could have done the same thing to Job he would have, but Job was too strong for him. Therfore, Satan fault a loosing battle with Job. In the process Faust is responsible for three deaths in this story, although he was influenced by Mephistopheles. God has given us the spirit of unlimited belief.The battle really begins in our mind. It is our will and emotions that control what we do or think. We must stop limiting God by the level of our faith or belief. He is and will always be the God of the impossible. People must demand that Satan leave them alone and not just ask this. It is good to know that by the power of the holy spirit we have authority over Satan to tell him what to do. Satan must be put in his place. Satan is a great pretender, so don’t be deceived by his fierce growl. I am encouraged knowing this scriptures, â€Å"and put on the whole armor of God so that ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked† (Bridge Builder’s Bible, Ephesians6.11-18). After being tested it feels good to know t hat someone passed their test and did not fail. I must be strong myself and not get caught up in the crossroads of my own life. People must have faith in order to make it in this world. Nothing can compare to what God has to offer us in heaven. God is amazing and he is the almighty whom we must answer to. It is great to have Job like attitude and not Faust attitude towards life. I encourage people to be strong in the Lord, having much faith. Works Cited Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Faust. New York:W.W Norton &Company, 1984. Lawall, Sarah, ed. The Norton Anthology of world literature .London: Castle House, 1909. Rod Parsley. Bridge Builder’s Bible. Deerfield: International Christian Publishers, 1997. Cliffs Notes -The Fastest Way to Learn. Wiley Publishing, Inc. 2000-2010 Faust, Parts 1 and 2. 11 November 2010 .