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JoshuaIt was a descendant of the African woman Asenath that was to lead the Children of Israel across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. His name was Joshua, Son of Nun, born of the African tribe of Ephraim, a Black man of energy, push and tremendous enterprise. For forty years he had shared the slavery and sorrow of a captive people. His childish eyes had witnessed the brutality of the Egyptian taskmasters. It is highly possible the cruel whips of his brothers never tore Joshua’s shoulder. This is likely because Joshua according to Egyptian custom belonged to family of the African Priest. Furthermore, since he figures prominently in the freedom movement, he was probably never a slave. Slaves for the most part do not rebel; it is free men made slaves that lead rebellions. Joshua beholding the condition of his people might have felt compelled to do something to effect their freedom. The Egyptians like the African of the 18th Century who sold his brother for riches, was spelling the demise of the African Continent. Joshua was on the mount when God invited Moses to come up and receive the table of stones on which God had written the Ten Commandments with his own fingers. He stood by when, like a devouring fire, God appeared upon the mountain. For forty days and forty nights, God communicated with Moses and Joshua as he had with few men before.The land to which God was leading his people was black Man’s country. It was Canaan, home of the giants, an area belonging to the Sons of Ham, who were brothers to Nimrod. In this country lived military geniuses. They settled here because it was the cross roads of the world ang they alone had proved to be militarily able to withstand the onslaught that living in Palestine required. Canaan was Black man’s country, cities strongly fortified- Jericho, Ai, Gilgal, Jerusalem, Hebron, Lachish, Eglon, Jarmoth. Cities that stood as a monument to the ability of the Black race to build structures of magnificence and beauty. Peace and tranquility existed within their walls. They built mountainous fortress and strongholds that would defy any power in those days. They were a powerful people, fierce and warlike. Armed and ready to stop any intruder, any nation ready to claim Palestine as theirs. They had horsemen, and chariots, and instruments of war, of which Israel had none. The Children of Ham who occupied Canaan were empire builders. Before Joshua was Jericho, behind him Egypt. These were Black empires, built by the sweat of their brows, with the strength of their hands. They feared no one thus far, but Yahweh was with Joshua, and a fearless African, and a powerful God, was too much for any people. Read the words of Yahweh to His people: Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. |