My Preference Has Changed

Passage: Hebrews 11:23-27

Main Idea:

Message Goal:

Introduction

Recently during a trip to South Carolina State University in Orangeburg , SC—the only public Historically Black College and University in South Carolina—I found myself somewhat impacted in a way I did not imagine to be possible. It’s rich history exudes African American identity by a simple walk through the walls of any of those buildings that decorate the university’s campus. It is rich with history and influence. I recall sitting in one of the meeting rooms and looking to my right only to see a distinguished photograph of the incomparable Frederick Douglass. At that moment, I uttered to those in the room, “I am in the right place.” For the first time, I was in a higher education facility who’s heroes were people of color.

As I journeyed back home, I began to realize the impact my Ph.D. research was having on me. As much as I was trying to prevent this from happening…it happened. You see, before I would criticize African American Ph.D. candidates for conducting their research in African American related projects. I felt it was the institution’s way of blocking intelligent African American voices from speaking on subjects that are more relevant to the broader world. Yet, I now repent. For, now I know that a research project is not conducted for the world, though it contributes to the knowledge that is for the world. Rather, the research project is, first, for the development of the aspiring scholar. That is, the research should do something to awaken the scholar in a way that makes him or her an authority on the subject.

As I thought through what was happening to me, I began to realize that my research was awakening a part of me that I did not know existed. It was not that I was ashamed to be an African American. Rather, it was that I was simply not proud to be an African American, particularly an African American man. I did not know enough about the work of African Americans in the world, specifically the world of higher education. Furthermore, I did not know enough about things that have led to what is today. For this reason, I conclude that all people should be aware of how history tells the story of their people and all people should know the heroes that have furthered the cause of their people.

The next day I stumbled across a sermon The Duty Which the Colored People Owe to Themselves written by Rev. Dr. Boynton, who I believe was actually Dr. Charles Boynton, the first president of Howard University. In this sermon, Dr. Boynton used Hebrews 11:24 as his based text, which reads Hebrews 11:24 “24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” What a beautiful text so telling of the man Moses must have been.

Boynton uses this text to encourage the African Americans while addressing a very important question about the future of America. America was facing a future of either eliminating all races as to form a sort of intermingling, which would dismiss the individuality of all races along with its churches, schools, and cultural practices or allowing the independent and individual respect of all races, including the black race, so as to afford one’s own schools, churches, and civilization.

As of recent the former has been proposed. Many have claimed that they see no race and that there should be no individual view of color. “Let us all exist as one race—the human race.” There are even those who declare that such an idea is based upon Scripture. For, I was one of those that claimed we shouldn’t see color. I have, since, altered my view on this position. In fact, our text today demonstrates the biblical recognition of a literal race and ethnicity—Moses, being Hebrew by ethnicity and Jew by race. Yet, for some reason there are those in America who claim it is better and even biblical to disregard any aspect of race, ethnicity, and culture as a fundamentally biblical idea. Why is this the case? I shall not claim to know for sure. Yet, I do have an idea for why such ideas are accepted. Yet, I shall not base my current argument on my ideas, but on those more learned than I.

Boynton assessed the racial distinctions of other races throughout the history of the world. He concluded races have always been distinguished and separate as to recognize their contribution to the society. For, every race has contributed to the whole of human civilization in a way that other races have not. And here is the major reason for the continual distinctions of the races—their unique contribution to society and mankind.

Yet, to try to eliminate the individualization of the races is to dismiss and ignore their contribution to the world. And never has there been such a desire to eliminate such firmly established distinctions until the rise of the African American people who through their subjugation to a supposed superior race have succeeded in ways previously unthinkable. Furthermore, history has proven that only during the uprising of a people in America, besides that of the white race, does this question of America’s future and supposed “color blindness” come into being.

Boynton suggests that the world is much better because individual races have contributed to the current world that now exists. In fact, he suggests that the distinction of races is a divine act of God (see Genesis 11). He then argues that African Americans should be given their fair chance to do the same. He also encourages African Americans to be proud black men and women. He encourages them to build their community and seek to be improved by their community.

*See quote from The Duty Which the Colored People Owe To Themselves.

This is where our text becomes extremely helpful! For, Moses is an exemplary example of how one should face the tribal and ethnic distinctions of the current time.

I Refuse to Be Called Your Son: Hebrews 11:24-27

For many years, I have read the 11th chapter of Hebrews. Yet, I must be honest—I have only focused on the first two verses of this chapter until recently. A few years ago, I noticed that the chapter was not explaining one’s faith to get. Rather, it was explaining one’s faith to do. True Christianity requires faith to do. This is why James speaks of his religion as a hearing and doing religion (James 1:22-25).

Boynton calls into question what Moses did as a result of his faith. In this text, Moses was recruited as a child, because The Egyptians saw something in him that was useful for their own good. They were so intrigued by this young child, that they disobeyed the king’s decree to kill all of the male Hebrew children so as to diminish the impact of an obviously budding group of people. (For, they knew that the success of a people requires strong and present men.)

Yet, something was happening to young Moses as he lived in that palace. Though he was influenced by the innovative culture of the Egyptians, his mother was there with him. He was able to have somewhat of a “dual” influence—one of Egyptian culture and one of Hebrew culture. He was given the best of both worlds, and was blessed with a momma that would never let him forget where he came from.

Once he reached the age necessary to live by his own convictions, he took a journey. He escaped the comforts of the Egyptian palace and journeyed out to see the people of his own race. His inquisitiveness got the best of him, and since he had already developed the patterns of learning to address the big questions of life, he took a journey.

Though he had all that his heart could possibly desire…he took a journey.

Though he was learned in the ways of the Egyptians…he took a journey.

Though he probably knew what he would see…he took a journey, because there’s nothing like seeing things for yourself; and in things pertaining to this question you don’t need to take anyone else’s word for it; you need to know for yourself!

For the first time, Moses saw the hardships of his people. He saw them slaving and working. He saw them toiling and laboring with little to know adequate return for their service. He saw an Egyptian beating his brother, and his response to this was indicative of the question we have today concerning the distinctions of race.

No, Moses did not look at his brother and say that such a beating was fitting because there’s no such thing as races. He did not look the other way as to avoid the confrontation. Neither did he call the officials and demand justice. Rather, he took that Egyptian man and killed him on the merits of what injustices he was causing his brother.

Could we dare to say that Moses recognized no races? Could we insinuate that Moses, one of Israel’s greatest leaders, had no regard for the suffering of his people? Shall we suggest that the Bible is silent on the distinctions of people? I think not. For, it is overwhelmingly clear that Moses felt deeply obligated to his people as to take such a drastic action. And if we were ever confused on the motivation, when confronted with the same situation among two of his brethren, Moses has a particularly different response. Rather than vengeance, Moses attempted to use reconciliation.

The basis of his actions are clear. At this moment, Moses had an epiphany. He recognized the injustices of his people and felt that it was irresponsible and completely inappropriate to enjoy the luxuries of life while the people of his own race lived a life of misfortune. He concluded that if he could do nothing else at all, he could at least suffer with them.

My friends, this is the lesson the writer of Hebrews is trying to communicate. He is saying that these actions of justice and suffering were acts of faith. And might you notice, the writer of Hebrews measured such a comfortable lifestyle without regard to the state of one’s ethnic family as a matter of sin (see Hebrews 11:25).

Moses thought, “I refuse to be called the son of an Egyptian. For, if I am a son of an Egyptian, I may forget what it means to be a child of God.” Every now and then, we must do what Moses did! We must forfeit our opportunity of luxury. Oh yes, Pharoah will pay a great price to make you his adopted son. He knows you have more to offer than any other son, even that of his natural blood, could offer. And though one’s natural blood may not grant the riches of this world, there is hope that one’ status as a child of God will grant you eternal returns.

All Nations and One Family

Rev. Dr. Boynton ultimately faced the question of whether he would encourage different races to incorporate themselves into the institutions of other races. That is, should black people go to supposed white churches. Should white people go to supposed black churches. Is answer was quite startling. He wrote that if there is no other means by which they are to be involved in religious community or educational pursuits, then there should surely be no objection to their intermingling. Yet, he argued that this should be in an attempt to provide the proper means by which each race can have their own institution, and as soon as these institutions are made ready each race should proceed to its respected institution.

Here is where I could not disagree with Dr. Boynton more. For the goal is not simply for each race to exist its own respected community. Rather, the goal is to form a community where each race is a contributing and respected people. If we form a community that garnishes respect without integration, then we have only proposed partial respect, which will ultimately become no respect at all. And here lies the greatest sin of America—the subtle rush to individualize ethnic institutions in the name of ownership and respect without any intention to create equity. I supposed this is the reason Christian colleges and universities are currently represented by only three ethnic minorities.

Freedom was the word of the 1960’s. Equity is the word of today.

We want equity in the board room.

We want equity on the school board.

We want equity on the police force.

We want equity in the White House.

Don’t just give us freedom, give us equity! Give each race the opportunity to bring its talents to the same table as to create a true model for national, and eventually international peace! For as long as we continue to bring our talents to different tables, these United States of America will only be united in name and never in practice.