Restoration and Racism: The Battle Over Identity and Culture

by Nathan Shaw

Two powerful songs release a prophetic intercession that is strategic for our times. One is called “Bring Them Home,” the other is called “I AM.” They are just a small part of a much larger prophetic intercessory cry that God is releasing through His church. It is not insignificant that one of these songs comes from Israel and the other comes from New Zealand. In reference to Israel, New Zealand truly is “the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 42:10, 45:22). Ultimately this intercessory cry will cover the whole earth.

Bring Them Home

Nobody can deny the tragedy that happened on the 7th of October 2023 when 1,139 Israelis and foreigners were killed and 253 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive by Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups. On the 30th of December 2023 “One for Israel Ministries” released a video of over 1000 Israeli musicians performing a song called “Bring Them Home.” More than just a song it is a cry of intercession from a people who understand what it is to be exiled.

If you listen to the song you can hear the cry of a nation—Israel, but if you listen deeper you can also hear the cry of the nations. Israel’s plight throughout history, along with her longing to be “home” in Yahweh’s embrace, is a prophetic picture of the nations who also yearn for this “home.” After listening to the song a few times I began to hear another cry within the cry of the nations. It was the cry of the Palestinian people yearning to know their God-ordained identity, destiny and purpose. Throughout history Israel’s intercession has been multi-dimensional—it still is.

I AM

Stan Walker’s song “I AM” was released on the 27th of November 2023. The song is about reclaiming and reconnecting with ethnic identity. Out of a desire to be authentic to his own ethnic identity Walker wrote the song in both English and Māori. Language is a powerful medium because it reveals the heart. Jesus Himself said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). A similar sentiment is expressed in the Māori proverb:

Ko tōku reo tōku ohooho, ko tōku reo toku māpihi maurea.
My language is my awakening, my language is the window to my soul.
(Sir Tīmoti Kāretū).

Genesis 1 communicates a strong connection between language and creativity: First God spoke, and then creation came into being. Creativity is an expression of who we are. Language doesn’t come out of a void, it comes out of real relationships and real interactions with others. Language connects us with identity. The questions “Where do I come from?” and “Who am I?” are connected. It’s hard to answer one without answering the other. This is why genealogy is given such importance in the Bible.

When Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” He went on to say, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Matthew 12:35). This principle also applies to ethnic and cultural identities. Human cultures have both good and evil in them. It goes without saying that in Christ we reject the evil, but in Christ we are also exhorted to treasure the good. Religious zeal results in many strong exhortations to reject evil, but righteous zeal says treasure the good and reject the evil.

Identity or Strife

There is a dynamic clash between the forces of restoration and racism in the earth today. Restoration brings identity, self-respect and respect for others. Racism brings hatred and division and multiplies disrespect. God’s purpose is to bring restoration to the peoples of the earth. Satan’s purpose is to multiply strife through racism. Strife blurs the distinction between the forces of restoration and racism. We must discern the difference and respond with authority as God’s peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). Cultural identity is not unimportant in God’s eyes. To the contrary, God cares about every aspect and detail of our lives, including who we are and where we come from.

A powerful force of intercession is stirring among God’s people. With this intercession is an authority to call forth not just cultural identity, but cultural identity with kingdom foundations. It is important to speak with caution. Voices that react will only increase strife. Voices that speak from the foundation of intercession that resonates within God’s heart will have an authority to silence the demonic storm and speak profound healing and restoration to the nations. The times call for both wisdom and strength, humility and courage, restraint and action.

The End Game

At the tower of Babel (Genesis 11) the nations rebelled against God. In Revelation 7 John saw the nations gathered around God’s throne. John stood in awe as he saw “a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” And the multitude were far from passive as they cried out with a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10). The extent of God’s salvation, redemption, restoration and deliverance will be nothing short of staggering!

The nations have been exiled from Yahweh since the tower of Babel. There is a powerful intercessory cry for the nations to return to their Maker and Creator. There remains a promised return—a promise still to be fulfilled. I AM will bring them home.

© 2024 Nathan Shaw.

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