Africa is both a place and a people. Africa refers to the continental landmass and its associated islands that cover 20 percent of the earth’s landmass.
Africa also refers to the people who descended from Ham, the son of Noah, and specifically the two sons of Ham; Cush, and Misraim (also referred to
as Egypt). Egypt in biblical times was populated by a black race (Psalm 78:51; 105:23, 27; 106:22; 1 Chronicles 4:40). The Old Testament also mentions Libya (sometimes called Put or Cyrene) and Ethiopia. (Jeremiah 46:9, Ezekiel 30:5, Ezekiel 38:5, Daniel 11:43, Acts 2:10.)

While the majority of Africans live in Africa, a significant number are scattered in other continents. It is noteworthy that after Nigeria, the country with the second-highest number of people of African origin is Brazil which is in South America.

History spanning the last 1500 years shows that no other people have been subjected to foreign oppression like Africans. The Arabs, Europeans, and Americans all participated in the trading and enslavement of Africans, and in the control and destabilization of African countries and economies
both directly (colonialism) and indirectly (neocolonialism). Today, no other people in the world are a target of racism like the black people.

African governments and rebel groups have not been left behind in the oppression of African people. Currently, there are armed conflicts in at
least 10 of the 54 African Countries; while grand corruption by African politicians and their cronies is mind-boggling.
This incessant oppression of Africa has been justified by the biblically unsupported claim that Africans are cursed because Noah cursed Ham. In
Genesis 9:18-27, we read how Noah drank wine and fell asleep naked. Ham found his father asleep and called his two older brothers who discreetly
covered him. When Noah woke up, he cursed Ham’s son Canaan (we are not told why). Canaan became the father of the Canaanites who had their
share of troubles.

Evidently, there is no special curse on Africans. Similar to other people and territories on the earth, Africa inherited the spiritual and physical problems
that came into being when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden. Africans like any other people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
(Romans 3:23). The land of Africa, like any other land, is groaning for redemption (Romans 8:19-23).

Now that we have busted the myth that Africa is cursed, we can oppose this cruelty toward Africa and with confidence in our heritage in Jesus Christ,
cry to God for the deliverance of Africa, just like Israel did when they were under bondage; Exodus 2:23: –
The distress of Africa has been stirring up groaning of pain and prayer for centuries and in recent years, there has been a marked increase in prayers for the deliverance of Africa from oppression. Africa is ripe for the deliverance! We refer to this as the African Exodus.
The African Exodus is defined by the following elements;
i) Turning of the people of Africa to God through the gospel. Isaiah 49:6; Luke 2:32; Acts 25:23; Jeremiah
ii) The political, economic, and social deliverance and transformation of Africa. Psalm 68:31; Psalm 87:4; Zephaniah 3:9-13; Acts 2:10; Genesis 2:11;
Job 28:16; 1 Kings 10:11
iii) Africa playing a key role in preaching and funding the gospel of the kingdom of God. Luke 6:38; Psalms 68:31; Deuteronomy 15:6
This is the time for you to:
• Actively unlearn the inaccurate world view of Africa
• Start to unearth and understand God’s purpose for Africa
• Commit to pray for Africa

By James Abola

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