By Dr. Kristen Barnes-Holiday, Ph.D., Contributing Columnist
Isaiah 40 is a pivotal passage in the Bible, particularly as we celebrate Juneteenth. This passage highlights God as Jehovah Nacham—or God as a Comforter—to the people of Israel after enduring a tumultuous journey, as nomads and victims of captivity in Babylon. Though possibly eyebrow-raising at the surface level, Isaiah 40 parallels one of the most coveted holidays for African American people—Juneteenth.
That’s right! As the old saying goes, there is nothing new under the sun; life and lived experiences have proven to be cyclical, even dating as far back as Biblical times.
Allow me to explain the intersectionality that exists between the two.
But before we delve into the intersection between Isaiah 40, enslavement, and faith, it is vital to offer context regarding Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. This holiday is of utmost importance, because on June 19, 1865, the last remaining slaves were notified, by Union troops that they were emancipated, making all enslaved African American people free. Now, this was an extremely late notification, as President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring that all the enslaved shall be free.
Two entire years later, Union Troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to share the good news that the slaves had been freed, granting freedom to more than 250,000 African Americans. At first glance, this scenario might sound odd, but imagine living during a time when mass communication was nonexistent, and folk could easily live, function, and remain in captivity in isolation.
Afterall, the enslaved fueled the economy, serving as the commodity that established generational wealth for their slave owners. Given the depth of their contributions to society, the American economy at large, and the period in which slavery occurred, how and why would the enslaved have heard the news regarding their freedom?
But eventually, freedom still rang. These folks—our beloved ancestors were free—and lest we forget, it was God who carried them through the storm, ultimately delivering a sense of comfortability.
The slaves in Texas were no different from the Israelites that are referenced in Isaiah 40. Prior to Isaiah 40, the Israelites had endured a fair amount of pain and condemnation, and they were on the precipice of confiscation; it was announced that the Babylonians would take Jerusalem into captivity and the people into exile. An invasion was on the horizon.
So, in Isaiah 40, the Lord knows that the people of Israel are weary, and thus uses the prophet Isaiah as a mouthpiece to warn, instruct and simultaneously comfort his people. In Isaiah 40:1-2, Isaiah says: “’Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ Says your God. Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the Lord’s hand Double for all her sins.’”
Jerusalem was in definite need of comfort. A war, confiscation, something tragic was looming and they were worried, likely concerned about their future. But God, reminded them that although these thoughts were looming and they thought they were on the precipice of a war, it was already over. God was proclaiming that they could rest because God had them Covered. AND, as if this proclamation wasn’t good enough, Jerusalem too had been forgiven for all their disobedience. God gave them a little somthin’ extra because Christ had already paid the price.
Freedom rang amongst the Israelites.
God saw them in their discomfort and pain. God also saw the enslaved African Americans, as they worked tirelessly as victims of cruelty under illegal confinement. Nonetheless, it too was God who summoned the bells of freedom in both places in history.
And don’t ever forget that God is still in the business of opening the floodgates of freedom, ushering in what might’ve once felt impossible.
May God bless you! Happy Juneteenth!
Until next time…
Love and blessings.
Dr. Kristen Barnes-Holiday, Ph.D. is a professor of English at Wayne County Community College District, a second-year divinity student at Duke University, and a Christian blogger. In addition, she is a teacher, preacher, and lifelong student of the Word of Jesus Christ.
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