MY ROYAL ROOTS: THE LINEAGE OF HAM
We’ve just begun our journey of discovery of Biblical Africa and the descendants of Africa. But before we continue forward, let’s recap where we’ve been so far, shall we?
- We understand that we were created in the likeness of God! When God made us, He essentially drew us out of Himself so that our very essence would be just like Him. (See Reflect God, Identity in Christ, In The Image of God)
- We understand that the concept of race as we know it today is not a Biblical concept. There is only one race (the human race) that reflects the many colors and the glory of God! (See Reflect God, This Black Girl, A Race Second to None)
- We understand that the genealogical and biological Jewish nation is no longer God’s representative (Romans 9:1-8). Jesus did not die for, nor is He returning for a nation, a kingdom, a tribe, a particular religion, or a denomination; Christ is returning for YOU (Romans 2:6-8, Hebrews 9:28). (See Reflect God, This Black Girl, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told)
- We understand that ancient Africa differed from Africa as we know it today See Reflect God, This Black Girl Always Mattered, Back to Africa)
- We understand that God had Africa in mind from the beginning of time as rivers flowed out of Eden through, around the lands of Africa, also known in ancient Biblical times as Cush or Ethiopia. See Reflect God, This Black Girl Always Mattered, Here in the Garden)
We understand that as Biblical Africans, we are descendants of Ham, the youngest son of Noah, whose name means hot, warm, or burnt by the sun. We also understand that as descendants of Ham, we are not cursed, as many would lead us to believe. See Reflect God, This Black Girl Always Mattered, The Days of Noah)
To forget one’s ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root. — Chinese Proverb
The roots of a tree nourish, hydrate, and anchor the tree so that it can flourish and produce much fruit. So we’ll begin the discovery of our Family Tree by examining our roots found in Genesis 10:1-32. Genesis 10 is described as the Table of Nations, recording how the descendants of Noah populated the nations of the world after the flood. The Tables of Nations serves as the foundation for understanding how people multiplied, migrated, and filled the earth. And The Table of Nations also serves as the basis by which we can start to understand the beginning of ethnic differences within mankind (H.C. Felder, 147-148).
Scripture
Jeremiah 17:8 – He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Genesis 10:32 – These were the families of the sons of Noah, according to their generations, in their nations; and from these, the nations were divided on the earth after the flood.
Lessons Learned
Understanding The Table of Nations specifically
Genesis 10 continues the examination of the family tree of Japheth, Shem and Ham. Genesis 10, the genealogy of the sons of Noah (Genesis 10:1), is also referred to as The Table of the Nations. It further outlines the family groups that spread out after the fall of Babel when humankind was a single group of people (Genesis 10:1, 11:1). It is also evidence of God’s intent for humanity to spread out and fill the earth (Gen 1:28). And it further demonstrates the multiplication and spread of the human race over the earth by their families, their lands, their languages, and their nations (Genesis 10:5, 10:20, 10:31).
Genesis 10 is not a race-tracing map. As shared in Reflect God, This Black Girl, A Race Second to None, the Bible did not categorize people by race but as nations (ethos) or different ethnicities. Genesis 10 provides a picture of people-groups, nations, or ethnicities. Timothy Whitaker, retired United Methodist Church bishop describes the “nations” as the particularities of humankind from which arise the infinite varieties of social, political, cultural, and religious expressions which form the fabric of the life and history of humankind” (https://providencemag.com/2021/02/the-nations-bible/).
The list of 70 names introduces Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth and their descendants and the nations that resulted from their descendants. This “family tree” may demonstrate the lineage best.
As previously shared in My Black Life, Back to Africa, The Days of Noah, this study will focus on the line of Noah’s youngest son, Ham, the father of Cush, Mizraim, Phut and Canaan. They, along with their descendants, are recognized as having populated the African nations. Ham himself became the father of the Canaanites, the Babylonians, the Phoenicians, the Cushites, and the Egyptians (Genesis 10:6–20). Genesis 10:6-20 further describes the descendants of Ham as being located in North Africa, Central Africa and parts of southern Asia.
The settlements of Cush extended from Babylonia to Ethiopia above Egypt, those of Mizraim stretched from the Philistine territory through Egypt and along the northern coast of Africa to the west; and the Canaanites were established at first in the land of Canaan, but afterward were spread abroad. The order seems to be ascending towards the north: the Cushite chain of settlements being the most southern, the Mizraite chain extending above them and the Canaanites holding the most northern position. We cannot place the tract of Phut out of Africa, and it would seem that it was almost parallel to that of the Mizraites, as it could not be farther to the north: this position would well agree with Libya. From <https://www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/P/phut.html>
The following is a more in-depth description of the descendants of Ham – The Cushites/Ethiopians, the Egyptians, the Canaanites and the Phutites.
Cushites Mighty, Cushites Strong: sons of Cush
The Tale of Two Egypts: Sons of Mizraim
Lessons Lived
Before beginning this particular study, I was envious of all the stories I’d heard about people taking DNA tests and tracing their family lineage. I heard stories about people discovering they were the descendants of kings and queens. Stories about the discovery of relatives in far-away lands that had not been known. Stories of orphans and adoptees identifying their birth parents or other siblings. And stories expanding the geographical and ethnic boundaries of a person’s current community to include places like Ireland and Arabia. Then there were the stories about people journeying to these new and foreign lands meeting new relatives, experiencing new cultures, connecting and bonding, discovering that missing puzzle piece regarding who they are and why they act the way they do.
And I wanted this same connection, these same stories. I wanted to know who my ancestors were. I wanted to discover lands unknown and find that place where I belonged. So I spent a LOT of time and a LOT of money seeking to find that missing puzzle piece of my life. I had the DNA testing done, hoping to discover who specifically were my ancestors? Where precisely in Africa did my people come from? How did they live long ago? What behaviors, skills, or attitudes do I have that were passed down from generations gone by? Where did the shape of my nose or the texture of my hair or the curve of my hips originate?
I traveled to various countries in Africa where my people might have originated since all my DNA results have been inconclusive. Could it be Ghana, Senegal, Benin?? I’ve sought out Black History in many cities across the United States, seeking to understand what we were up to once dragged off the slave ships. I’ve listened to stories from varying family members about their past experiences. And I’ve read more books than I can recollect about Ancient Biblical Africa, the descendants of Africa, Slavery, The Civil Rights Movement, The plight of Blacks around the world, our Freedom, Our Liberty, and Justice for All.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve grown a lot. Yet, here I am. I still can’t tell you if my ancestors came from Ghana or thereabouts or from Ethiopia as many, even native Ethiopians, seem to think that based on my features, this was my native home. I have no stories of a long-lost auntie who ruled as a tribal queen or of a great-great-great-grandfather who slew lions and saved his village from famine.
Then God spoke to me and reminded me that I should’ve come to Him with my questions in the first place (Have I told you that I’m still learning to make this my first response). And that I was asking the wrong questions or at least searching for the answers in all the wrong places. My heritage doesn’t begin in current-day Africa or on a slave boat. My heritage begins with Him in ancient Africa in my rich and royal heritage with the lineage of Ham.
And now, I have a story to tell! The Cushites, the Canaanites, the Egyptians and the Ethiopians – my people. Our people. Just pause right there and exclaim a “Wow” with me!
I invite you to continue along this journey with me. In the LIFE Lessons, Know God, My Black Life: Ancestry.com, we will explore the land, the dynasties and the nations of Hamites. We’ll meet prophets, priests, warriors, archers, tentmakers, farmers, kings and queens. We’ll discover varying plots and twists and explore the themes of love, betrayal, deceit, faithfulness, and courage. Together we will uncover hidden truths about our ancestors, correct the many lies we’ve been told, and begin to see and value our worth in The Word (2 Timothy 2:15)! Keep checking for updates, as new stories will be added bi-monthly.
Additionally, In the LIFE Lessons, Serve God, My Black Life: Our Fight for Justice, you will discover insights into how this information should be used in order to transform our communities, our churches, and our nation the “Bible Way.”
Be blessed and may God’s story shine a new and brighter light upon your story!
Reflections
- How do Jeremiah 17:8 and Genesis 10:32 speak to you?
- After studying this lesson, what resonates with you most? What continues to give you pause?
- Have you ever sought to trace your lineage, to discover your ancestors? Why or why not? If you did, what did you discover?
- How does the understanding of your Biblical ancestry impact how you think or feel about yourself?
- What are your personal LIFE Lessons?
- Liberation: What new insights gained have freed you from past thoughts or practices?
- Inspiration: In what ways have you been spiritually, emotionally or mentally motivated to live for Christ?
- Fortification: What additional scriptural texts, passages or stories can reinforce and strengthen you against the attacks of the enemy?
- Edification: How might you share your story to edify others and bring glory to God?
Playlist
As you process, digest, and apply what’s been shared, here are a few songs from “My Black Life” Playlist. Listen and let the music infiltrate your soul. Read the lyrics and let the words encourage you. And I pray that you’ll be blessed as I was.
- Royalty by Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Royalty (Live At The Ryman, Nashville, TN/2020)
- Royalty by Mali Music – Royalty
Prayer
