True Freedom — Remember Who You Are, Where Home Is, and Who You Belong To
[This is written especially to the awakened and awakening Hebrew Israelites here in the U.S.A.]
For many years, Juneteenth was a lesser-known, yet meaningful observance celebrated mostly within so-called Black communities and homes. Today, it has become a federal holiday for all, exploited by corporations for profit, politicians for votes, and media outlets across America for clicks & views.
Yet, for many awakened descendants of the transatlantic slave trade, Juneteenth is not solely a joyous celebration of freedom — but it is also a solemn and sorrowful reminder.
A reminder that our ancestors remained enslaved long after freedom had been declared and emancipation had been proclaimed. A reminder of legacy ruined, families broken, culture covered up, and identities whipped out.
To this day, it is also a reminder that although chains were removed from our wrists, ankles, and necks, many of our people remain bound by spiritual captivity because of sin, blindness, confusion, and a lack of understanding concerning who we are and to whom we belong (Isaiah 1:3, more on that later).
That is why when I think about Juneteenth, one phrase comes to mind:
Remember Yourself.
Not merely your history. Not merely your ancestors. Not merely your suffering, enslavement, injustice, or delayed freedom.
Above all, remember yourself.
Truly remember who you are, where home is, and to whom you belong. Remember that this is a covenant truth matter.
Freedom Delayed
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas were informed that slavery had been abolished.
Think about that for a moment. Freedom had already been declared, yet many American-born people remained in bondage because the message was hidden away from them.
There is a spiritual lesson hidden within that reality. How many of our people today continue living in bondage because they have not yet received—or have not yet accepted—the truth, the message about who they are?
How many have inherited labels, identities, customs, and beliefs that have obscured The Covenant truth and heritage of our forefathers? How many remain asleep while believing they are awake?
Juneteenth also reminds us that hearing the message is one thing — receiving and responding properly to it is another.
A Hidden Prophet and a Powerful Message
Time to dig deeper… And let’s lay things out first.
One of the most powerful Biblical passages on captivity, freedom, and restoration is found in the apocryphal (hidden) book of Baruch.
Thankfully, many of our people today are rediscovering this book. While it’s absent from most modern Bibles, Baruch was included in many earlier Bibles translations and revisions, including the first few revisions of the King James Bible. The book of Baruch is once again being studied, remembered, and responded to correctly by many Bible believers around the world today.
Who was Baruch? Baruch was the faithful assistant and scribe of the prophet Jeremiah. He witnessed the judgment that came upon Judah and became a prophetic voice calling our people to repentance and restoration.
His words carry a message that is especially relevant during Juneteenth:
“… But in the land of their captivities they shall remember themselves, and shall know that I am The Lord (YAH) their God (Elohim)…”
Baruch 2:30 https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Baruch-2-30/
Pay clear attention to what Baruch says. Not merely that they would survive, prosper, or be comfortable. But that they would remember themselves.
They would awaken to their covenant identity while still living in the lands of their captivity. That sounds remarkably familiar, does it not?
The Condition of Our People
The prophet Isaiah described a people who had forgotten their Elohim:
“The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib: but Yisrael does not know, My people do not consider.”
Isaiah 1:3
The problem is not a lack of intelligence. The problem is a lack of remembrance and responsibility.
A people disconnected from their covenant identity eventually become disconnected from their covenant responsibilities.
When we forget who we are, we forget how we are supposed to live. When we forget whose we are, we forget whom we are supposed to obey. When we forget the covenant, we begin serving other masters.
The condition of our people today reflects this reality:
- Violence.
- Broken families.
- Addictions.
- Materialism.
- Hatred.
- Pride.
- Self-destruction.
- Multiple other dysfunctions.
These are not merely social problems. They are symptoms of spiritual amnesia and irresponsibility.
The Promise of Return
The good news is that YAH did not only promise judgment, but He also promised restoration — HalleluYAH!
In Deuteronomy 30, Moses prophesied that after Yisrael experienced the blessings of obedience & later the curses of disobedience and was scattered among the nations worldwide, there would come a day when the people would return to YAH with all their heart. Then YAH would gather them again.
Our curses, scattering, and captivity are not the end of our story. They are a painful chapter of it. But remembrance, repentance, and restoration are part of our story too.
Again, Baruch echoes this promise:
“And I will bring them again into the land which I promised with an oath unto their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob…”
Baruch 2:34
So while Juneteenth reminds us of delayed emancipation, Scripture reminds us of our total freedom & anticipated restoration.
So, What Must We Do?
The answer has never changed.
Humble ourselves.
Pray to YAH.
Seek YAH.
Repent — Turn from wickedness and back to obedience to YAH.
Just as it is written:
“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then…”
2 Chronicles 7:14
The awakening which many of our people are experiencing today is not an excuse for arrogance & prideful boasting. It is not a reason to look down on others.
The purpose of awakening is repentance & obedience, which will lead to our freedom and restoration.
If remembering who we are does not cause us to walk in righteousness and lead others to do good works, if we aren’t led back to the keeping of The Covenant, then we have missed the point, and we have lied to ourselves, and we are not free (1 John 2:3-6).
Lift Up Your Heads
The Messiah, Yahoshua, foretold of the times when Jerusalem would be trodden down by the nations until the times of the nations were fulfilled. As that period begins to draw to a close, He said many signs would be seen throughout the earth. And He gave this encouragement:
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near.”
Luke 21:28
HalleluYAH!
That is why Juneteenth is both sad and hopeful. Sad because it reminds us of captivity and slavery. Sad because it reminds us of what was lost, hidden, and stolen. Sad because it still reminds us of the condition of our people today.
But hopeful because captivity is not forever — Hopeful because YAH remembers His covenant, and we see the awakening is taking place as the signs of the times are also being showcased worldwide.
We are hopeful and celebrate freedom now, even as we look up knowing that our ultimate freedom and redemption is drawing nearer each day. HalleluYAH!
So Family… Remember Yourself
As Juneteenth celebrations come and go, I encourage all of our people to think beyond the BBQs, parades, festivals, speeches, and celebrations.
Ask yourself:
- Who am I?
- Where is my true homeland?
- Who do I belong to?
The answers to those questions matter more than any holiday.
Because Juneteenth is not simply about remembering that our ancestors were freed from physical chains. It is about recognizing that many of us are still being called out of spiritual captivity, still being freed from mental chains.
Like those who first received the news of emancipation, we have a choice to make when the declaration comes to our ears.
Will we ignore it? Will we mock or minimize it? Will we continue as we are?
Or will we remember ourselves?
May YAH help us remember who we are. May we remember where home is and who we belong to — we are children of The Most High YAH; we are the people of His covenant. And may we prepare ourselves for the redemption that is drawing near.
It’s a covenant truth thang — and I pray that you know, understand, and celebrate it.
Until next time, shalom ✌🏾
~Yahrahn
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