The day following that on which the conversation we have related took
place, was one of great rejoicing in Jerusalem. The noise of
military preparation ceased, and the tumults and conflicts which at
that period so Constantly disturbed the peace of the Holy City were
for a short time suspended. It was the Feast of Pentecost, the day
on which the first-fruits were presented as a burnt-offering to the
Lord, and when the children of Israel celebrated the completion of
their plentiful harvest, and "rejoiced before the Lord their God,
with their sons and their daughters and their servants, and the
Levites and the strangers that were within their gates." This was
one of the three great national festivals which were observed every
year by the Jews, according to the commandment of God, when all the
men were enjoined to assemble from the towns and villages of Judea,
and to appear before the Lord in his temple. The disturbed state of
the country, and the necessary absence of many of the Jews who had
joined the rebel forces of Galilee, or were engaged in preparing for
the expected attack of their own cities, rendered the assemblage less
numerous than in the time of peace and security; and yet the streets
were thronged. The sound of musical instruments was heard in every
quarter, and many were the troops of young men and maidens who were
seen going up to the temple in the measured and graceful steps of
their solemn dances, while they chanted hymns with their melodious
voices, and accompanied their songs with the harp and the psaltery.
Danger and dissension, and the discord of contending factions
appeared to be forgotten, and to the eye of a stranger all was peace
and joy. The heart of Naomi exulted while she joined in the dance
with her young companions, and among all the youthful throng her step
was the lightest and her voice the sweetest; at least they appeared
so, in the partial judgment of her mother and her friend, who
followed in the concourse that moved towards the glorious and
magnificent temple. Claudia took no part in the ceremony; but she
could not look unmoved on that countless multitude of worshippers,
assembled as with one heart to celebrate the praises of their Deity,
and to offer on his altar the first-fruits of the bounteous harvest
which had just been gathered in. The exquisite beauty and richness
of the building, which was conspicuous from every part of the city
and the surrounding country, have been frequently described, and must
be familiar to every reader. It rose high above the whole city, and
united the strength of a citadel with the splendour of a sacred
edifice.
We are told that the plain on which it was erected, and which
occupied the whole summit of the hill, had been greatly enlarged
since the time of Solomon, and now consisted of a square of a furlong
on each side. The steep sides of the rock were faced with stones of
an enormous size, some of them being seventy feet long; and we may
suppose that it was to these huge blocks so wonderfully placed, and
so accurately fitted together, that the disciples called the
attention of their Master, when, as they stood over against the
temple, they exclaimed in pride and admiration, "Behold what manner
of stones and what buildings are here!" The awful denunciation which
he then uttered--"There shall not be left here one stone upon another
that shall not be thrown down"--was now rapidly approaching to its
fulfilment, and the hard-hearted and deluded inhabitants of that
devoted city knew it not, nor sought to avert the impending judgment
by humiliation and prayer. Doubtless had they even then returned,
and sought the Lord, and humbled themselves, like Nineveh in her day
of threatened destruction, they might, like Nineveh, have been heard
and pardoned, and saved. But the pride and impenitence of the Jews
were unexampled, and awful was to be their punishment. They would
not be gathered under the wings of their merciful and forgiving
Saviour, and lo! their "city was left unto them desolate." The
"eagles" were even now "gathering together" to devour them, and they
were feasting and rejoicing, and insulting their Maker and Governor,
by offering to Him sacrifices while their hands were stained with
blood, and uttering praises to His name while their hearts were full
of cursing, and deceit, and lies. Amidst the general corruption,
there were yet, however, a few faithful sons of Abraham remaining,
though not enough to save the city; and Zadok was of this number. He
stood by the altar, to receive from the hands of the people the
baskets which contained their offerings, and to hear the declaration
and confession which were appointed to be uttered on this
occasion;[1] and no covetous or unholy thoughts crossed his breast.
He was absorbed in the feelings of gratitude, and hope, and adoration
which the ceremony was so well calculated to excite; and his
dignified form and noble countenance well became the splendid robes
in which as an officiating priest he was attired. Salome looked upon
him with love and veneration; and the proud heart of his daughter
swelled with a pardonable emotion, as with her young companions she
passed before him, and met the affectionate eye of her father. Naomi
loved both her parents most ardently; but she looked up to Zadok as
to a being of superior nature, whose will to her was law, and whose
slightest word could control all her wild thoughts and wayward
fancies. "Ah," said she to her mother as she returned to her side
beneath the pillared cloisters, when she had completed the circuit of
the court in the solemn procession, "if my father were but High
Priest, or a chief of one of the parties in Jerusalem, all would yet
be well. His wisdom, and courage, and virtue would surely reconcile
all the disputes which now cause such tumult, and threaten such
danger to our beloved city; and should the Romans dare to bring their
legions against our walls, with Zadok for our defender and the leader
of our troops, how soon would they be discomfited and driven away! I
almost wish to see their boasted armies approach, for then would all
the rival factions unite to oppose them, and we should see my father
go forth in the power and protection of the Lord, with the holy band
of priests, to encounter the foe. And then, O my mother! we should
behold Messiah coming in the glory of Heaven to finish the conflict,
and to restore to our city and beautiful temple the majesty and power
which once dwelt here. I look round this gorgeous building, and I
see marble pillars and pinnacles of gold, and carved roofs, and
crowded ornaments of precious materials. But where is the presence
of God, which once abode visibly among his people, to sanctify them,
and to separate them from all others? It has departed from us, and
therefore, 'do the heathen so furiously rage together' against us.
But it will return--surely His presence will speedily return to us,
in the person of the Messiah, and we shall yet see Jerusalem exalted,
to be the glory of the whole earth!"
[1] Deut. xxvi. 5.
"God grant it, Naomi," replied her less sanguine mother; "but I
confess I cannot utter my prayers in this temple, without some awful
forebodings that ere long the worship may be interrupted, and even
that fire and sword may lay waste our beautiful, our rich, our joyous
city. I fear that we may yet have to sink far lower than we are now
fallen, and endure to drink far deeper of the cup of the Lord's
vengeance before the sin of our race shall be purged away, and the
'Desire of all nations shall appear to re-establish the kingdom of
his father David.'"
"O mother, why are you so fearful, and why do you suffer such
thoughts to fill your mind? Can it ever be that Jehovah will allow
the Gentiles to triumph over his chosen race, and trample on His
courts and altars?"
"We know, Naomi, that the heathen nations of old were permitted to
conquer and desolate our city and our temple; and now, when I see the
state of impiety and rebellion against the Lord into which my
countrymen are fallen, I cannot but look for a repetition of the same
awful judgments which have already been poured upon this once
favoured land. Have you forgotten the terrible sights and sounds
that, two years ago, at the breaking out of this fatal war occasioned
so much consternation and fear? That dreadful sword of flame which
hung, for twelve long months, over the city; that fierce and sudden
light which, at the feast of unleavened bread, broke forth about the
altar and temple; and how the brazen gate on the eastern side of this
sacred building flew open of its own accord, and was closed with so
much difficulty by the united force of the guard? Many of our
friends looked on this as a token that God would open to us the gate
of blessing; but Zadok said not so. He was present at the fearful
event, and he came home sad, and with his countenance fallen; for he
dreaded that it might be a sign that the temple was no longer secure,
and that ere long the gate of the holy place might be thrown open to
the enemy."
"But," interrupted Naomi, "my father surely has no such apprehensions
now! I hear him speaking encouragement to all around him, and his
spirit inspires every one who hears him with hope and confidence."
"Yes, my love, your father is animated by his own courage and his
trust in God. The impression which was made upon his mind by the
events of which I am speaking has subsided. No calamities
immediately succeeded these warnings, and, like most of his brethren,
he now considers that the danger has passed away. But I have not the
same conviction; I never can forget those signs from heaven, or
believe that they did not forebode evils yet to come. You stood with
me upon our house-top when, before sunset, that awful vision of
chariots and horsemen appeared in the heavens, and encompassed the
city in their wild and rapid course; and you heard your father tell
how at Pentecost, when he, with the other priests then on duty, were
entering the temple by night, they heard strange rushing sounds, and
a movement within, and then a mighty voice, as of a multitude,
crying, 'Let us depart hence!' O my child, from that hour I have
felt that the Lord has deserted us, and his holy angels no longer
keep watch over this sacred building, to guard it from every foe.
And look! Naomi, yonder, through the crowd, is passing that terrible
and mysterious man who has haunted our city, like an evil spirit,
ever since the war began, and indeed while we were yet in peace and
prosperity. No threats, no punishments have been able to silence
him; and now, when we are met together to hold a feast to the Lord,
and celebrate his goodness, the son, of Ananus comes to blight our
joy, and shed a gloom over every countenance."
As she spoke, this strange and terrific being passed through the
midst of the assembled throng, who shrunk from him as from one whose
presence brought a curse. He entered the vacant space which
surrounded the spot where the priests were officiating, and raising
his bare and haggard arms on high, he exclaimed in a voice so loud
and piercing as to be heard by all who filled those spacious courts,
"A voice from the east!--a voice from the west!--a voice from the
four winds!--a voice against Jerusalem, and against the temple!--a
voice against the bridegrooms and the brides!--a voice against the
whole people!"--and then he moved across the court, and disappeared
among the crowd on the opposite side. A shudder ran through the
whole assembly; every voice was hushed, and every eye was turned to
follow this prophet of evil. None raise a hand to arrest his course,
for all now feared him, and knew that, though when he first appeared
in Jerusalem, and uttered his warning cry, he had been scourged until
the bones were seen through the flesh, yet that he had never either
shrieked or groaned for pain, but still had raised his sad and
faltering voice, and cried at every blow, "Woe, woe to Jerusalem!"
He was looked upon as a maniac, and now wandered undisturbed through
the city, night and day as he traversed the narrow streets still
crying, "Woe to Jerusalem!" And at the return of every festival,
when crowds were gathered together, and mirth and joy were abroad,
his gaunt and melancholy form was sure to be seen gliding slowly
through the multitude, and his ominous voice was heard still uttering
no other words.
Before the dense crowd which now filled the temple had recovered from
the effect which his appearance never failed to excite, he had
descended the hill, and was traversing the almost deserted streets;
and in the silence which succeeded his departure, his voice could
still be heard dying away in the distance in the same melancholy
tone. The multitude shortly afterwards dispersed, and the gaiety of
the city ceased; for ere the services of the temple were concluded,
the chief priests and leaders of the people were hastily summoned to
meet in council, and consider a despatch which had just arrived from
the commander of the Jewish forces in Galilee. But in order more
fully to understand the importance of this despatch, it will be
necessary to give a brief sketch of the state of affairs at this time
in Judea, and of the events that had occurred since the breaking out
of the rebellion, which ended in the total desolation of this unhappy
country.
The spirit of insurrection had been abroad for several years, and
many attempts had been made to throw off the yoke of the Roman power.
The success, however, had been very partial, and could ill repay the
expenditure of blood and life which had been incurred in the
misguided efforts of the Jews to regain their liberty and
independence. They had no foreign allies to assist and strengthen
them, for all the other Roman dominions were in peace; and even their
own countrymen who were settled in distant provinces took but little
interest in the struggles of their native land, or were too much
occupied in endeavouring to secure their own safety, to have either
leisure or power to aid in the revolt of Judea. Even their nominal
king Agrippa, had openly declared for the Roman power; and the Jews
had no acknowledged or distinguished leader to guide them, and direct
their fierce and obstinate, but undisciplined troops. The attempt
was therefore wild, and all but hopeless; and yet we cannot read the
account of the cruelties and oppressions which were heaped upon this
once blessed race by many of the Roman governors, and wonder that
they should spend their life-blood in the effort to shake off the
galling and ignominious yoke. The tyranny which was practised upon
them by Cuspius Fadus, by Felix, by Festus, and more especially by
Florus, had galled their proud spirit beyond endurance; and in the
year of our Lord 66, they were in open rebellion against their
conquerors.
The bold defiance of this comparatively weak and insignificant
province excited the astonishment and even the alarm of the Emperor
Nero, and he immediately dispatched Vespasian, one of his greatest
generals, to take the command of Syria, and to use the promptest
measures for quelling the revolt, before the example of these daring
men should be followed by the surrounding provinces. Vespasian sent
his son Titus to Alexandria, to bring from thence the fifth and tenth
legions; and set out himself without delay for Syria, collecting by
the way all the Roman troops, and the tributary forces from the
neighbouring kingdoms.
These active measures on the part of the Roman emperor struck terror
into many of the rebels, who hastened to offer their submission; but
the greater part were determined to resist to the uttermost. A
general meeting of the chief men in Jerusalem was summoned in the
temple, for the purpose of choosing governors and commanders; and
Joseph the son of Gorion, and Ananus the high-priest, were elected as
governors in the city; while Joseph the son of Mathias (more commonly
known as Josephus the historian) was appointed to the command of
Galilee; and other chiefs were entrusted with the defence of the
remaining districts and cities. Eleazar, the son of Simon, who had
been active in the first movements of the insurrection, had no
authority committed to him; but being the commander of the temple
guard, he contrived to gain possession of a large portion of the
public treasures, and the spoils which had been taken from the Romans
at the breaking out of the war. He therefore, by means of this
wealth, obtained great power and influence over the people; which, as
we shall hereafter perceive, he exerted to no good purpose.
Josephus immediately hastened to his government in Galilee, where it
was expected that the struggle would first take place. This country
was rich and fertile, and inhabited by a numerous and hardy
population of Jews and Syrians intermixed. It was divided into two
districts, Upper and Lower Galilee, and Sepphoris was the capital
city. The fortification of this important place Josephus entrusted
to the celebrated John of Gischala, a crafty and deceitful man, but
bold, enterprising, and active; and who afterwards opposed all the
measures of the governor, and promoted the spirit of discord which
already divided the province, and thus proved an obstacle to the
effectual resistance of the common foe. Jotapata, Tiberias, and some
deep caves near the lake of Gennesareth were also strongly fortified,
besides many other towns and fortresses; and an army of 60,000 foot
soldiers was established, besides a considerable body of cavalry.
But all the wise and prudent schemes of Josephus were constantly
rendered ineffectual by the plots and opposition of John of Gischala,
whom he himself had raised to power. He had formerly been a poor and
desperate adventurer, and lived by robbery and violence: he by
degrees induced others as unprincipled as himself to join him, and
formed a numerous banditti, who ravaged the country, committing every
kind of outrage; and to this dangerous man was entrusted, in the
present emergency, the command of the Galilean capital.
For many months the contest and rivalry between John and Josephus
continued, and greatly interrupted the defence of the country; and
time and money were wasted in mutual endeavours to gain over the
chiefs of Jerusalem to espouse the cause of each party. In the
metropolis, the preparations for war and defence were carried on with
zeal and energy, and the streets and public places echoed with the
clash of arms and the tramp of the soldiers marching to exercise.
The prudent and the timid trembled at the prospect of the miseries
and desolation to which they foresaw their glorious city and
luxuriant fields might be ere long devoted; but the fear in which the
peaceable inhabitants were held by the zealots the fanatics, and the
assassins, who ruled in the city, silenced every murmur, and checked
every sigh for the re-establishment of the dominion of the Romans.
By the command of Ananus, the high-priest, the walls were repaired
and strengthened, arms and military engines were manufactured, and
provisions and other necessary articles were collected, and stored up
in abundance, to be ready in case of a siege. It was not only from
the timid and disaffected in the city that Ananus experienced
coldness, and had to contend; his power was opposed without the walls
by Simon, the son of Gioras, who, at the head of a lawless band of
ruffians, overran and pillaged the toparchy of Acrabatene, breaking
open the dwellings of the rich, and ill-treating all who endeavoured
to put a stop to his deeds of violence and cruelty. The high-priest
sent forth a body of troops against him; but the fierce Simon escaped
their vengeance, and found safety in the town of Masada, from whence
he made incursions into Idumæa.
Thus were the affairs of Judea and Galilee situated when the spring
of the year 67 commenced; and Vespasian with his mighty forces
appeared at Antioch, and was joined by King Agrippa and his army. On
his march toward Ptolemais he was met by an embassy from Sepphoris,
with overtures of submission, which, in spite of the opposition of
the governor of Galilee, the inhabitants of the capital persisted in
making to the invaders; and Vespasian sent them back with a strong
reinforcement of troops, under the command of Placidus, to protect
the town from the vengeance of the rebel Jews. Josephus made an
ineffectual effort to regain possession of the capital; but the
attempt only provoked the Romans to greater cruelty, and thousands of
the inhabitants of the adjacent country were destroyed by fire and
sword, or carried away as captives. At Ptolemais, Titus joined his
father with the troops from Alexandria, and the whole army of
Vespasian now amounted to 60,000, including cavalry, besides the
mixed multitude that followed the camp, many of whom were employed
when occasion required.
Josephus saw that it was vain to oppose so formidable an army in the
open field, and he sent forth orders for all the inhabitants of the
villages to take refuge in the fortified cities. Many were cut off,
and slaughtered in the flight; but the greatest part of the
population were able to secure their retreat, and found present
safety within the walls and bulwarks. The Jewish commander took up
his own station at Jotapata, the strongest and most important of all
the cities of Galilee; and thither the troops under Placidus were
led, in the hope that by a sudden attack the place might be captured,
and the governor himself taken prisoner. But Josephus was aware of
this intention, and sallied forth to meet the Romans with such
impetuosity that they were repulsed, and forced to retreat; and this
success inspired the Jews with fresh courage and determination.
Hitherto the main body of the vast army of Vespasian had been
inactive; but he was now resolved to lead them forth himself, and
crush the rebellious Jews with his resistless force. The foremost
troops consisted of the archers and the light-armed allies, who
preceded the cavalry and heavy-armed infantry, examining every
thicket and wood, to discover whether the enemy were lurking in
ambush. After the cavalry came the pioneers, with their spades and
pickaxes, to clear away all obstacles which might interrupt the march
of the phalanx; the camp-furniture followed, under a strong guard;
then the general and his troop of horse, succeeded by the military
engines and their attendant engineers. The lieutenant-generals and
their inferior officers came next in order and after them the
standards, the glittering eagles, which were looked upon as sacred.
To every legion one of these was appropriated, and the attachment of
the Roman soldiers to these emblems of their national power was
almost invincible. It was inspired both by their religion, feelings
and their sentiments of honour; and it was looked upon as no less
impious than it was disgraceful to forsake the standard in the hour
of danger. Next advanced the formidable phalanx, followed by the
servants with the private baggage and the mercenary troops; and the
procession was closed by a strong guard of both horse and foot. The
news of the movement of this host struck terror into the army of
Josephus, which was encamped at Garis; and without waiting to
encounter the dreaded foe, they dispersed, leaving their general
almost in despair: and he was compelled to seek refuge, with the
small remnant who adhered to him, in Tiberias.
Gadara was the first city which fell beneath the arms of Vespasian;
and he made it a signal example of his vengeance, burning it down to
the ground, and destroying all its inhabitants. Consternation was
spread abroad, and the retreat of Josephus into Tiberias was looked
upon as a proof that even he no longer entertained any hopes of
success. But he resolved still to continue his resistance, and sent
emissaries to Jerusalem with a strong representation of the necessity
of their immediately dispatching a powerful army into Galilee, or of
abandoning the cause at once, and submitting to the invaders. It was
this important message which reached the metropolis during the
celebration of the Feast of Pentecost, and occasioned the sudden
dispersion of the assembly. The nature of the communication was
speedily noised abroad, and filled the hearts of the timid and
peaceable inhabitants with apprehension and anxiety; and even the
bravest warriors were somewhat discouraged when they heard how
closely Josephus was pressed, and the unfavourable aspect of the
affairs in Galilee.
The chief priests and leading men of the city immediately assembled
to consult on the best mode of affording assistance to their
commander;[2] but the factions and dissensions of the different
parties were already so violent, that, after a long and angry
discussion, the council broke up without coming to any final
determination; and it appeared to be tacitly agreed, that those who
chose to volunteer on the service might go to the aid of their
countrymen in Galilee; but no authorised leader was appointed to
conduct them. The spirit of Javan was roused with indignation when
he heard that no relief was to be sent to Josephus, and he eagerly
declared his intention of setting out for the seat of the war. His
example and his fiery exhortations induced many of his young
companions to embrace the same resolution; and as soon as the
necessary preparations could be made, they departed from the city,
accompanied by the messengers who had brought the Jewish commander's
despatches. They reached Tiberias in safety, and joined Josephus in
time to accompany him to Jotapata, into which city he contrived, with
much difficulty, to throw himself and his followers, when he found
that the steps of Vespasian were directed towards that place. A
deserter informed the Roman general of this event, which added to his
eagerness for the capture of the town, as he hoped at the same time
to gain possession of his most active enemy; and he instantly
dispatched Æbutius and Placidus with a thousand horse, to surround
the walls and prevent the possibility of his escape. The following
day, being the 15th of May, A.D. 67, Vespasian advanced with his
whole army; but the particulars of the long and interesting siege of
this important post must be deferred for a time, while we return to
Naomi and her friends in Jerusalem.
[2] History does not inform us that any strong reinforcement was sent
into Galilee, or that any notice was taken of the letter of Josephus.
[Illustration: Tombs of the Kings]