Reclaiming the True History of a Forgotten People

For generations, African Americans have been taught that their history begins with slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. The narrative is often reduced to Rosa Parks refusing to give up her bus seat, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. having a dream, and Harriet Tubman freeing enslaved people. Each year, Black History Month reinforces this limited perspective, focusing primarily on slavery and a handful of pioneers. But what about before 1619? Where were you before the transatlantic slave trade? Who were you? Where are your books, your history, your true identity?

A People with a Rich History

The truth is that there are people all over the world who can trace their lineage back thousands of years. Yet, the dominant narrative implies that Black history begins when the first African was sold into slavery, as if Black people suddenly appeared out of the soil of Africa in the 1600s, grew like crops, and were harvested for the slave trade. This is a deception. Your history did not begin in bondage—it began as a chosen people, beloved by God, but disciplined like a father disciplines his children.

The Biblical Identity of a Scattered People

The Bible speaks of a people chosen by God—descendants of Israel—who were rebellious, stiff-necked, and often turned away from Him. Yet, they were also powerful, wise, and filled with music, dance, and celebrations. These people were disciplined by God for their disobedience, repeatedly exiled and enslaved under foreign rulers.

• Jeremiah 31:9 – “For I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.”
• Jeremiah 31:20 – “Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.”

Despite their disobedience, God never abandoned His people. Each time they were taken into captivity, He sent messengers to guide, teach, and awaken them. However, many of these messengers were mocked, ignored, or even killed.

• 2 Chronicles 36:15 – “And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place.”
• Isaiah 18:2 – “Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled.”
• Malachi 3:1 – “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me.”

A Cycle of Captivity and Redemption

Each time Israel turned away from God, their captivity under foreign nations grew longer and harsher. It was a pattern similar to a prison sentence—each act of rebellion led to a stricter punishment.

• Job 36:11-12 – “If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.”
• Jeremiah 25:11 – “And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.”
• Judges 3:8 – “Therefore the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.”
• Judges 3:14 – “So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.”

Yet, God always left a way for His people to return. When they repented and cried out to Him, He restored them.

• Jeremiah 29:10 – “That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.”
• Ezekiel 39:28 – “Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.”
• Deuteronomy 30:3 – “That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.”
• Zephaniah 3:20 – “At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you.”

A Light to the Nations

Israel’s suffering was not just a punishment; it was also a lesson for the world. God intended for His people to be an example of righteousness, showing strength with humility, fairness, and justice. Through their trials and restoration, even the nations that enslaved them would come to know the Most High.

• Psalm 106:47 – “Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.”
• Isaiah 56:8 – “The Lord God, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.”

The Hidden Truth They Don’t Want You to Know

This is the history that has been kept from you. Your identity has been stolen, your heritage erased, and your true origins concealed. The world has told you that your story begins with chains, but the truth is, you were once kings, priests, and a chosen people with a divine covenant.

It’s time to wake up.

Get off the bus, Rosa, and get into your history.