Josephus’ work is not Scripture. It is one man’s account of watching his God destroy his nation

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Alex Ezrati

Josephus' Jewish War

"Josephus' work is not Scripture. It is one man's account of watching his God destroy his nation."

The legendary historian and scholar Flavius Josephus was born Joseph Ben-Mattathias in 37 CE. Around this time, the Romans had already taken control of Palestine, and the Jews in that area were under Roman occupation. Not long after his birth, the Jewish nation began to revolt against the Roman rule. Being a talented diplomat and scholar, Josephus knew that their cause was hopeless, but he joined the new Galilee forces and became a commander. The Galilee army didn't last long, and after a while, Josephus' supporters joined a suicidal pact and took their own lives in a cave south of Jotapata. Having been captured by the acclaimed Roman general Vespasian in July 67 CE, Josephus pretended to be a prophet. He prophesied, under threat of death, that Vespasian was destined to become Emperor of Rome, as stated by an ancient Oracle. Intrigued by this, the general spared Josephus' life and took him prisoner. Less than 3 years later, when Nero had committed suicide and Vespasian had become Emperor, he granted Josephus his freedom, rewarded him greatly, and gave him his family name of Flavius. Joseph Ben-Mattathias had now become Flavius Josephus.

War of the Jews, Book 3, Ch 8

"Thou, O Vespasian, thinkest no more than that thou hast taken Josephus himself captive; but I come to thee as a messenger of greater tidings; for had not I been sent by God to thee, I knew what was the law of the Jews in this case? And how it becomes generals to die. Dost thou send me to Nero? For why? Are Nero's successors till they come to thee still alive? Thou, O Vespasian, art Caesar and emperor, thou, and this thy son. Bind me now still faster, and keep me for thyself, for thou, O Caesar, are not only lord over me, but over the land and the sea, and all mankind; and certainly I deserve to be kept in closer custody than I now am in, in order to be punished, if I rashly affirm any thing of God."

For the rest of the war, Josephus became an advisor to Titus, Vespasian's son, and helped him understand the Jewish nation and talk to their leaders. However, Josephus was called a traitor throughout the Jewish ranks, and therefore he could do nothing but watch as his nation was destroyed. In April 70, during Passover, the Roman army, led by Titus, laid siege to the city of Jerusalem. Two legions shared a large camp on Mount Scopus, another legion camped a short distance away, and when the Legion X Fretensis arrived back from fighting in Syria, it set up camp on the Mount of Olives, in front of the Temple. As well as the Emperor's legions, many adventurers had come from Italy to help with the siege. All in all, the Jews didn't stand a chance against the attacking army.
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The attack on Jerusalem

* Simon, new leader of Jewish and Idumean forces, was in charge in the Old Town. He commanded 10,000 Jewish warriors and 5,000 Idumeans. The walls of the Old Town were old, but almost impossible to climb.

* In the east was the Temple area, occupied by 2,400 Zealots. The temple was next to a ravine, which stopped anyone from attacking. There was also a large castle in the Temple area, called Antonia.

* Then there was the New Town, built in the forties. It was occupied by 6,000 militiamen of ...

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