Pastor Shaun Marksbury

If you've had any interaction with the Black Hebrew Israelites (BHI), you have probably heard that the true identity of the Hebrew people is the African peoples (or some such nuance).  As evidence of this, BHI adherents will point to the blessing/cursing chapter of the Law, Deuteronomy 28, and see there a prophecy concerning Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.  Perhaps even outside of BHI, you've wondered if this chapter discusses this.   The Prescribed Truth Podcast takes on this reading:

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands (Eph 2:11). The Jews circumcise male infants as a sign of God's covenant.  It's obvious that such an act requires "human hands," so why does Paul point it out here?  The Faithlife Study Bible notes, “In the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the ot ), this word is used to refer to idols (e.g., Lev 26:1; Isa 2:18; 10:11; Dan 5:4).” [1]   Interestingly, even though God commanded circumcision, Paul uses the same terminology for idolatry.  Even that which is good and ordained by God — in this case, a mark to identify a people with God — becomes an object for pride and self-worship.  For a New Covenant application, remember that Paul had to confront those at Corinth who took pride in who baptized them (1 Cor 3).  Our hearts are idol factories, as one theologian famously said, and