In just a few days the world will recognize International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition. For two nights in August 1791, African men and women, who were sold into slavery, revolted against the slave trade system to obtain their freedom. Their courage and willingness to stand up for themselves began the establishment of universal human rights. The history of the slave trade is cruel and bitter and unfortunately has not seen its last days on this earth. The shame and agony that humans have placed on one another throughout history is beyond disgusting. It is incomprehensible how cruel humanity can be. And yet we live in a world where, over and over again, this awful history repeats itself. We have laws against slavery now, but there is rampant illegal slave activity still happening today. And thus, the cycle of repressed peoples having to build their lives anew continues on.
Unfortunately, in biblical days slavery was an acceptable practice. The Bible even gives instructions on how slaves were to be treated. But in time, as with many other inconceivable practices in ancient days, the civilized world began to understand that slavery is an evil that should not be tolerated. Now slavery is outlawed and, for the most part, the world agrees that all people should be free. But the staggering truth is that an estimated 40.3 million people are in slavery worldwide today. In every country around the world, people are working for little or no pay, controlled by threats, debt, and violence. The terms we use for slavery today are: Human sex trafficking, child slavery, slave labor, domestic slavery, and forced marriage. For those people in the world, freedom IS attainable. It will take courage and strength on the part of the oppressed people, just as it did for those Africans in 1791. And it will take commitment on the part of decent people in the world to stand hand in hand with them in the battle against these abuses.
Being set free can bring more questions.
So what happens when a slave becomes free? How can one recover from such an injustice? How does one build a life anew after experiencing such horror? How does an entire people group, who has been oppressed, recover from such an experience and building anew? We can site a couple of biblical references of those who were sold into slavery and overcame their circumstances. Joseph was sold, by his brothers no less, into Egyptian slavery and used it to become a powerful advisor to the Pharaoh. He became very wealthy and, eventually, was able to help his entire family escape a region wide famine. He was unwilling to allow his circumstances to prevent him from using his capabilities to his advantage. And then there is the example of the Hebrews, who were enslaved by the Egyptians for 400 years. As a people group, they collectively escaped their captors and together started the journey of rebuilding their nation. Moses led them, but they all had to be willing to walk out of Egypt together. Once free, the challenge of establishing a home and rebuilding the Jewish nation, literally from the ground up, took dozens of decades. Whether a singular person or a collective group of people, the commonality is this: Faith, Courage & Hope.
We jump 3,150 years to 1945, where about 3.5 million European Jews survived out of the 9.5 million that existed in Europe when the Holocaust began. They were scattered throughout many countries and had to rebuild their lives, with little to no possessions or money to their names. The descendants of those survivors still struggle with the injustices done to their loved ones in the ghettos and in the slave labor camps. But the new generations have chosen to move forward and make opportunities for their families that otherwise would not have been possible if it weren’t for the courage and determination of those who survived.
And although Apartheid is no longer a part of the law in South Africa, there is still so much more to be done to recover from those injustices. Hearts and minds need to be changed. Resentment and anger needs to be curbed. The new generations need to move forward with as much courage and hope to better their lives as those who fought to abolish Apartheid.
Pslam 24 from the Bible.
The road to healing is usually long. When we go through the darkest of times, there is one Psalm that can lift our soul and give us hope for a better future. The 23rd Psalm is the rock on which Jews and Christians can stand on and know that, despite our circumstances, God is with us and there is hope.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Helping another to their feet, true freedom from slavery.
We can be a part of the injustices of humanity or a part of the solution to them. We can all pray for the people, pray for the evil oppressors to be destroyed, and pray for God to heal the people and the nations. Those who can help one person overcome their oppressive past, whatever it might be, should do so. Those who are called to stand in the gap and fight for the 40.3 million who suffer at the hands of slavery should head the call. As the Psalmist implies, may the enemies of humanity see the oppressed rise up before their very eyes and watch as goodness follows them. There is nothing worse for the evil heart than to see good people live a blessed life!
