Nothing New Under the Sun

The following is an excerpt from Josephus, Antiqities, Book XV Ch. 5 pp. 3. Here, Herod, king of the Jews, delivers a speech to a downtrodden army during a war with the Arabians to rally their spirits once more after a series of unfortunate events (a sneak attack followed by an earthquake) gave the Arabians the upper hand. I chose a section of the speech that I found to be quite remarkable. Of course Herod himself was a thoroughly wicked individual, but his words ring true to this very day! (Keep in mind that Herod lived over 2000 years ago!) Of course, if any Jewish leader (or layman) would utter these words today, he would be arrested by the Israeli government for incitement and sedition. But that is another matter. Here is the quote:

"You are not ignorant certainly of the wickedness of the Arabians, which is to that degree as to appear incredible to all other men, and to include somewhat that shows the grossest barbarity and ignorance of God. The chief things wherein they have affronted us have arisen from covetousness and envy; and they have attacked us in an insidious manner, and on the sudden…. nor is it fit that they… should injure us, and deprive us of what is our due, and this while we have been still not their enemies, but their friends… And whereas observation of covenants takes place among the bitterest enemies, but among friends is absolutely necessary, this is not observed among these men, who think gain to be the best of all things, let it be by any means whatsoever, and that injustice is no harm…

Is it therefore a question with you, whether the unjust are to be punished or not? when God himself hath declared his mind that so it ought to be, and hath commanded that we ever should hate injuries and injustice, which is not only just, but necessary, in wars between several nations; for these Arabians have done what both the Greeks and barbarians own to be an instance of the grossest wickedness, with regard to our ambassadors, which they have beheaded, while the Greeks declare that such ambassadors are sacred and inviolable…

[B]ut perhaps some will say, that what is holy, and what is righteous, is indeed on our side, but that the Arabians are either more courageous or more numerous than we are. Now, as to this, in the first place, it is not fit for us to say so, for with whom is what is righteous, with them is God himself; now where God is, there is both multitude and courage. But to examine our own circumstances a little, we were conquerors in the first battle; and when we fought again, they were not able to oppose us, but ran away, and could not endure our attacks or our courage…

Why are we therefore of less courage, on account of that which ought to inspire us with stronger hopes? and why are we terrified at these, who, when they fight upon the level, are continually beaten, and when they seem to be conquerors, they gain it by wickedness? … Consider these things, and, what is more than all the rest, that you have God at all times for your Protector; and prosecute these men with a just bravery, who, in point of friendship, are unjust, in their battles perfidious, towards ambassadors impious, and always inferior to you in valor."

Caviat: The speech worked, and the Jews whooped the Arabians.