Scattered but Preserved: The Isrealites, Black Descendants of Slaves, in Biblical Prophecy

The God of Israel Knows Where His Peopla Are

There is nothing vague about the idea that the israelites will be scattered yet preserved in the Bible. The israelites experienced this as a lived reality. Scripture clearly states that the israelites will be dispersed throughout the nations, oppressed, enslaved and stripped of all power; yet the Most High will never erase them from existence. The Most High prophesied that the israelites will be dispersed and preserved prior to the events described.

From the covenant made with Abraham, the Most High established a people whose history will be characterized by movement, oppression, and perseverance. The promises made to Abraham included land and blessings; however, the promises also included captivity and suffering. The Most High did not keep this secret. The Most High informed Abraham that his descendants would be enslaved and suffer for generations, yet be preserved and multiply. Scripture clearly indicates that slavery would play an integral part of the israelite's story.

Forced Relocation

The israelites are a people formed and shaped by forced relocation. They were taken to Egypt and later scattered through conquest, exile, and captivity, and ultimately dispersed throughout the world. This was because they kept breaking the laws of their sacred covenant that only their race was given (Psalm 147:19-20>Lev 26:46) 

The dispersal of the israelites reached its lowest point through transatlantic slavery. Through this, black descendants of the israelites were forcibly removed, renamed, beat, and sold. Yet, at each juncture, the israelites were not destroyed.

Scattered does not mean Abandoned

Scripture demonstrates that dispersal does not equate to abandonment. The Most High continually proclaimed that although he would scatter his people to the farthest corners of the earth, he would never abandon them. Preservation is based on the covenant, not obedience or power. What the Most High establishes cannot be annulled by any empire.

The continued existence of the black descendants of slaves represents proof of preservation. In spite of centuries of slavery, cultural eradication, forced religions, and systematic dehumanization, the people persisted. Although languages were taken, names were changed, and history was rewritten, the people survived. The fact that the people survived is not coincidental. It is biblical.

Geography

Geography aids this realization. The Bible identifies the origin of the israelites in Africa and North East Africa (and therefore among people of normal blackness), and from there the people were scattered outward through captivity and trade routes. Their dispersals sent them to Europe, the Americas, and beyond; yet, their lineage was maintained.

The Most High orders remembrance so that dispersal does not lead to loss of identity. When people are enslaved and displaced, memories become a threat to those in power. Therefore, enslaved israelites were forbidden from being literate, were deprived of their inheritance, and were taught false histories. However, the Bible predicted the loss of identity and the restoration that would follow.

Bible Prophecy

The prophets speak directly to a scattered people that would forget who they were. The prophets describe a nation that would lose its name, its language, and its heritage, and yet remain alive. The prophets proclaim that the Most High would one day awaken them, restore knowledge, and reconnect them to their authentic identity.

This process is repeated in the later writings of Scripture. Dispersal scatters people, but it also preserves them. What was intended to destroy the israelites instead fulfilled prophecy. The black descendants of slaves did not vanish; they multiplied. They survived the conditions designed to eradicate them. This persistence is not coincidental. It is covenant.

Scattered but preserved is not metaphorical language. It describes the historical experience of the israelites. The israelites were forced into slavery and were dispersed throughout the world, and yet they remain the people of the covenant. The Most High remembers them even when they have forgotten themselves.

The Bible does not state that the Israelites will be lost forever. The Bible states that they will be scattered for a season. Preservation serves as proof that restoration remains part of God's plan.

The story has not ended. The continued existence of the black descendants of slaves stands as tangible testimony that the word of the Most High will never fail.

Judith Asher, Author of The True Hebrews Book series