Jeremiah 13:23a Why Race and Ethnicity Is Not The Issue of Mankind

Jeremiah 13:23a

Why Race & Ethnicity Is Not The Issue of Mankind

(Jeremiah 13:23a) “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?”

By way of introduction, it is desirous that exposition be our primary purpose in this blog in rightly dividing the word of truth and giving proper understanding to The Scripture as well as the proper application. Being said, it is relevant for us to examine The Scripture carefully. All the while prompting some good discussion as well as the Biblical view for understanding some of the current events taking place in these strange days before us. Specifically, we see these volatile riots and acts of violence throughout the nation unfolding day by day. It can surely be said that tensions are growing and placing intense pressure on political leaders in how to approach the escalating circumstances. In this blog entry we will deliver or establish no political viewpoints for the issue of racism and presence of violence in the world. None shall be delivered but what is already established in The Word of God.

First, let us examine some of the questions and issues that spark such drastic concerns. For example, populations and groups are highly questionable concerning law enforcement. In parallel, there are many questions as to how judicial systems should approach specific cases involving law enforcement and the potentiality of racial injustice. Also, people question the totality of groups’ protests and their impact in society. There is a great effort to divide the classes of peaceful and unpeaceful protest. Then we reach the continual thread of questions such as “is racism a real issue” and “who exactly is racist”. A systematic approach to The Scripture and the passage of Scripture before us pinpoints we are asking the wrong questions to understand the world around us. The issue is not whether we can validate the reality of racism. The issue is not whether we can label groups as racist or nonracist. The proper question is, why are people racist? Furthermore, why do people lie? Why do people steal? Why do people kill? Why do people defraud their neighbor? The question in its full measure: “Why are people evil?”

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?” It is clear that the context of this Scripture is not to provoke Israel to go on a never ending endeavor of trying to change the Ethiopian’s skin or a leopard to bring about his own cleansing and remove his spots. Rather, they are used in a parable form of teaching. Examine this reality of our race and ethnicity. Have we determined it? Was there a moment before your conception in which you decided in what country you would be born and to what race of parents were given to you? No, you had no say in the manner. Likewise, as for a son who is born into a home where there is no father or a daughter who is born into an environment of abuse. The Ethiopian cannot change his skin and a leopard cannot perform self-cleansing to remove his spots. Race is a predetermined element of our genetics and remains throughout the course of our earthly life.

Skin color has no relevance to the human condition. Romans 10:12 “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” This question delivered to us in Jeremiah 13:23 is to expose the real issue and ask the real question. For the second part of the verse says, “then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” (v.23b) If we could discover the real issue of man then there may be the possibility of deliverance from our dilemma. Since the issue is not the Ethiopian’s skin or the leopard’s spots, what is the issue? Verse 10 gives the full expansion: “This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them” (Jeremiah 13:10a). Verse 22 says, “the greatness of thine iniquity”. We are severely and overwhelmingly wicked. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10) We have no righteous understanding and nothing within us seeks God. (v.11) Our deeds are altogether wicked and filthy. (v.12-16) Our very nature and mind is altogether sinful. (Romans 8:5-8)

So then, the issue and dilemma of each human being is not “is racism an issue?” The issue is that the entire human race has sinned against God and sinful by our very nature. No riot, protest, advocacy, or political agenda can rescue us. We most certainly will not find deliverance while being distracted by Satan asking the wrong questions and fighting senseless battles. If we look out the windows of society to examine others we run swiftly to our own damnation. We must look in the mirror of God’s Word and ask the right question. The prison keeper was near the brink of suicide before he asked the right question. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30b) Paul and Silas responded to him, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (v.31b) Humble thyself, seek God, ask the right question with a lowly spirit, and ye shall receive the answer of everlasting life. -

Sources Cited

The Holy Bible Authorized King James Version. R.L. Allan & Son Publishers.