A supernatural power is an extraordinary ability that exists within the universe, which causes mysterious actions that cannot be explained in any way including science. Most ancient societies give stories that are associated with the supernatural powers. In these communities, some people had the powers and in turn used them to help the community to fight against the enemies. At other times, they used their powers to their advantage, for instance, to be favored in a paranormal position. The supernatural powers have been used to justify many actions such as warring within communities. In the Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews- Book XI the author has shown the numerous ways that those communities used the powers (Josephus 1). The paper will posit the many ways supernatural powers were used to justify one's actions in this account.
The text reveals that supernatural powers were used to justify war. Chapter 8, of the book, begins with the slaying of King Philip of Macedon by the Darius Army. The son of King Philip, Alexander succeeded the kingdom and continued the battle until they won over the other communities. King Alexander fought to win against the Darius army at Granicum and perpetuated the war to Lydia, overcame Ionia, and Caria. The Darius army gathered at the foot of the Mount Cilicia to revenge against King Alexander. However, they lost. King Alexander captivated the King Darius family in a mysterious way. The people cannot explain how he was able to win against King Darius, who organized the army to fight against him. Since there was no explanation, the people believed he had supernatural powers (Christian Classics Ethereal 2).
The second instance was where people used psychic powers as an excuse when the community selected Alexander as their leader. The selection of the king was mysterious, since, Alexander went to the temple where he offered a sacrifice to the God in the presence of the high priest. After the sacrifice, the high priest himself run across all the cities convincing people that Alexander was the right leader. The ordination was, thus considered that it came from higher powers, and individuals were, therefore, obliged to follow the will of the God. The story of one Greek leader destroying the Persian temple was also related to Alexander as narrated by Daniel. Alexander convinced people that he was indeed the person that Daniel talked about in the conquest. To convince the high priests to stand with him, he gave them all the powers they asked for without questioning (Tyson 160). According to the text, he allowed Jaddua to keep his foreign wife despite the society’s norms and beliefs towards marriage to a foreign woman. Alexander used the superpowers of the Jew ancestor lives as a promise to the people who supported him. The promise coerced many people to join his army and thus, help him to fight towards his enemies. The promises also allowed him to gain the support of Samaritans and to petition the Hebrew’s seventh-year loyalty to the Asia. However, he did not give the tribute to the Hebrews since he claimed that only Jews had the privilege from the God.
In conclusion, people use supernatural powers to acquire supremacy against other people for their self-gain. In this chapter, Alexander uses the skills to justify the actions he is mostly involved in during his reign. Alexander also lies and promises the Jews a life of their forefathers, which is another exploitation of supernatural powers. Psychic powers are supposed to benefit the society and not a particular individual as it is misused in this chapter.
Works Cited
"The Antiquities of the Jews, BOOK 8 by Flavius Josephus." N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2016.
"Antiquities of the Jews - Book XI." Christian Classics Ethereal Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2016.
Tyson, Craig. "Josephus, Antiquities 10.180–82, Jeremiah, and Nebuchadnezzar." Journal of Hebrew Scriptures JHS 13 (2013): n. pag. Web.
