History of Rastafari: The Israelites Part 1

The nation of Israel. How does the nation of Israel connect with “Rastafari”? In other words, what does the nation of “Israel” have to do with “Rastas”?

Although “Rastafari” has what we call “Many Mansion” as according the scriptures. We have “BoboAshanti” “Nyahbinghi” “The Ethiopian Orthodox Faith” and “Twelve Tribes of Israel” to name but a few. And though all are important and play a vital role in the “Rastafari” community.

The “Teachings of Him” and what he has laid as a foundation based on my research and observation, follows the true and “Orthodox Way of Life of Rastafari” the most.

The reason for coming to this conclusion is, not only did our “history” started with “Adam” from the “Bible“. But I am aware of the covenant between the nation of “Israel” and “God”.

The nation of “Israel” are “Gods” chosen people. “Rastafari” roots stem from out of “Israel” being of the “Tribe of Judah”. One of the sons of “Jacob”.

I am writing this article expanding on the connections with “Israel” and “Rastafari”. In addition to showing how deep it is our “history” and “roots” go.

If there’s anything i’ve missed on the topic, feel free to leave a comment and i’ll get back to you asap. I will write to the best of my abilities by the grace of HIM to do his will.

Genealogy

Here we’ll look at the connection with “Rastafari” and the “Nation of Israel”. “Rastafari” was crowned November 2nd 1930 as The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

In addition, he was the 225th King to sit on Solomon’s Throne. Therefore “Rastafari’s” bloodline verify his connections with “The Davidic Kingdom”.

Solomon was the son of “David”. Who was the son of “Jesse” who was the son of “Obed”. “Obed” was the son of “Boaz” and “Ruth”, Boaz was the son of “Salmon”.

Who was the son of “Nahson”, who was the son of “Amminadab”, who was the son of “Ram”, who was the son of “Hezron”, who was the son of “Perez”, who was the son of “Judah and Tamar”, who was the son of “Jacob”, who was the son of “Isaac”, who was the son of “Abraham”.

Therefore we can trace his “Majesty” bloodline all the way to “Abraham”. In addition, Genesis 12:2 it says

“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing”.

“God” also told Abraham that Kings should come from his line and that “God” has established an everlasting covenant between “God” and “Abraham and his descendants”.

The land of “Canaan” was given unto “Abraham” which today is “Israel” where “Jerusalem” is.

The Nation of Israel

The covenant made between “God” and “Abraham” was passed unto “Isaac” by “God”. Isaac also had two sons, Esau which today is the Muslim nation and “Jacob” who today is the “Children of Israel” or the Black Nation.

Esau sold his birthright to Jacob, who then received the covenant of his father Isaac and grandfather “Abraham”. “God” wrestled with “Jacob” and changed his name. Genesis 32:27-28 says “And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed”.

Jacob or “Israel” was blessed by “God”. He commanded “Jacob” to be fruitful and multiply, and a nation shall come from him and Kings shall come from his loins. And the land of “Canaan” given to him and his descendants.

Being fruitful and multiplying came the nation of “Israel” the 12 sons of “Jacob”. From Rueben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph and Benjamin. From these 12 sons of Israel came the nation of “Israel” or “the children of Israel”.

However, Joseph the youngest brother at the time(for Benjamin had not yet been born). Was loved highly by his father causing jealousy among the other brothers.

Being jealous, they came up with a plan to to try and kill him, but instead changed their minds and sold him into Egypt.

Reading the scriptures for yourself will clearly give you a better understanding of the entire history, but for now we are focusing on the connection of “Israel and Rastafari”.

Israel and Egypt

Joseph ended up being a prisoner in Egypt sold into slavery by his brothers. However, “God” found favour in Joseph and blessed him and gave him the gift of interpretation.

Pharaoh had his dreams interpreted by Joseph, and because of this Joseph had gain the trust of Pharaoh and became a high command in Egypt.

Time passed and Joseph along with his 11 brothers and his father “Jacob” moved to the land of Egypt.

While living in “Egypt” the children of “Israel” grew and multiplied. The nation of “Israel grew large in numbers, and as time passed, Joseph passed away.

The strong hold/influence the “Israelites” once had started to fade. The Pharaoh at the time was conscious of the growth of  the “Israelites” and became fearful they’d want to overtake the “Egyptians”.

It was at this point “We” the “Tribes of Israel” became captives and slaves for over 400 years.

Moses, born of the “tribe of Levi” was sent away as a child down a river in order to preserve his life from the “Egyptians”.

“Pharaoh’s” daughter found “Moses” and took him in and looked after “Moses”. As “Moses” got older, he killed an “Egyptian” and had to flee from “Egypt”.

By this time, “God”, the “God” of his forefather “Israel” visited “Moses” and commanded that he lead the nation of “Israel” out of captivity and into the “Promise Land”.

Rastafari and Israel

Now that we’ve had a brief history on the Israelites, we can now see how “Rastafari” connects with “Israel”. Many people will say the majority of what I have written about is “Christian” beliefs and that “Rastas” fight the “white man” philosophy.

However, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, is a “Holy Christian King”. He is the “Defender of the Faith”. And “Rastafari” and those of the faith, truly following HIM are the real “Christians” in the earth, baring the “New Name” of HIM.

We “Rastas” follow HIM. And the teachings of HIM anything outside of the teachings of His Majesty is not of the faith. “Rastafari” is a way of life.

To understand the roots of “Rastafari”. One should read the “Bible” as was commanded by HIM, one chapter per day. From Genesis 1 to Revelations 22 without skipping a page or a day.

With a clear conscience and humbleness like a child pray and ask the “Father” to receive his words unto your heart to lead you into all truths.