Juneteenth

Juneteenth refers to June 19, AD 1865.  That is the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced to the slaves that they were now free.  At the time, there were about 250,000 slaves in Texas.  So Juneteenth, while a federal holiday, began as a uniquely Texas celebration.  It has been officially recognized in Texas since 1980, but celebrated there long before.  It began as an official federal holiday in 2021. 

 Part of the cost of ending slavery in the United States was the loss of around 620,000 men in the Civil War, about 2% of the population of the 1860s. 

 Union General Gordon Granger issued General Order Number 3, which read, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freed are advised to remain at their present homes, and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”  

 Read more about Juneteenth:

https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/juneteenth

 

Note; The Bible and Slavery:  Slavery was part of the world’s culture in Bible days, and for centuries thereafter.  That included slaves of many races.  The Bible tolerated slavery and urged slaves be treated well.  But when viewed as a whole, the Bible definitely points toward liberty for all and treating others as you would want to be treated (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 7:12; Philemon 1:16; etc.).  Two great Bible themes:  The Hebrews escaping slavery in Egypt (Exodus); All of us escaping the slavery of our sins through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 6:6; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:1; etc.). 

May everyone have a Happy Juneteenth! 

 -David R. Brumbelow, gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com, June 20, AD 2022. 

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