There has been a great deal of media coverage regarding reparations. Some support it, and others oppose it. From Evanston, Illinois, to California and many others, the message of reparations has been reverberating around the world. Reparation activism has been compared to the biblical story of Moses confronting the Pharaohs of this nation and demanding that they apologize and compensate the descendants of enslaved people for the wrongs committed against their ancestors. But what does the Scripture say about reparations? What is the biblical perspective? An example of reparations can be found in the Book of Exodus. The Book of Exodus describes how the Israelites were delivered from the oppressive rule of Pharaoh, the King of Egypt.

When God sent Moses to deliver the Israelites from the harsh oppression of Pharaoh, it was clear that God opposed slavery. In chapter three of the Book of Exodus, God expressed his love for his people and his concern for their well-being.

“I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.”

Exodus 3:7 (NIV)

To provide context, it’s important to understand how this story began. What was the reason for Pharaoh’s oppression of the Israelites? What caused this ruler to hate the Israelites so much that he would call for the death of all Hebrew boys? The reason was fear. Fear was the driving force behind Pharaoh’s brutal enslavement of the Israelites. He saw how God had blessed them, and he considered them a “threat” to his way of life.

6 Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, 7 but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.

8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”

11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlessly. 14 They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.

Exodus 1:6-14 (NIV)

It was not God’s will for the Israelites to remain in bondage but to be free. God was moved by the cries of the Israelites and acted on their behalf. God sought a liberator to speak truth to power. That liberator was Moses. Although Moses faced Pharaoh with trepidation, he was confident that God was with him. Pharaoh finally let the Israelites go after all of the plagues that came upon Egypt. However, the Israelites did not leave empty-handed. Everything they lost was repaid in full with interest. Once the Israelites were liberated, they received restitution. The Egyptians gave them silver, gold, and clothing. Restitution required adding a fifth to the value of what was lost and acknowledging wrongdoing. Full restitution was a common practice Before the Common Era (BCE). This is righteous reparation.

“During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me. The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” they said, “we will all die! So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.”

Exodus 12:31 – 36 (NIV

Pharaoh was humbled by the constant calamities that had befallen Egypt. It humbled him to the point that he asked the Israelites to bless him. Some may call this an apology or an acknowledgment of wrongdoing, but I call it righteous reparation. All of the wealth that the Egyptians had obtained and enjoyed from the slave labor of the Israelites was being stored up for the just.

When it comes to reparations, the Bible doesn’t stop there. The word of God contains numerous examples of reparations. All oppressors are subject to the same law. Any individual who oppresses another human being must provide full restitution for their actions with interest.

“The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it, and give it all to the person they have wronged.”

Numbers 5:5-7 (NIV)

You might say, well, that was the Old Testament. What about the New Testament? I’m glad you asked. In Luke 19:8 (NIV), Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector, is speaking with Jesus, and he says, “ Look, Lord! I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” For Zacchaeus to make this statement to Jesus means it was a normal practice to provide full restitution for those who have been treated unjustly or unfairly.

Today, the fight for reparations is growing. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee introduced the H.R. 40 Bill to address the injustices of slavery. This bill would also establish a commission to study and consider reparations proposals. She is not alone in her efforts. This month, Representative Cori Bush introduced the H.R. 414 Bill before Congress, a $14 trillion reparations resolution. This bill calls for the United States to provide reparations for the enslavement of Africans and its effects on millions of Black Americans. In my opinion, monetary compensation alone would not be sufficient to right the wrongs of America’s original sin―slavery. We need to go much further than that. Reparations should include things that will produce generational wealth and positively impact the community because that is what my ancestors lost.

There was systematic racial discrimination against African Americans in education. It was illegal for my ancestors to read or write. So Black Americans should get that back free of charge, meaning every Black American should receive a free education. All student loans should be canceled, myself included! That is righteous reparations. My ancestors were promised 40 acres and a mule. Black ministers introduced the 40 acres proposal to General Sherman at a meeting in Savannah, Georgia, with Rev. Garrison Frazier as the spokesperson. The proposal never came to fruition. So Black Americans should get that back also in the form of land ownership, which should be more than 40 acres. That is righteous reparations. Instead of receiving adequate health care, Black Americans were used in medical experiments. I propose that all Black Americans receive full health coverage regardless of age and other extenuating circumstances. That is righteous reparations. I could go on and on about what this nation owes Black Americans, but I have given enough to start the conversation and get the ball rolling.

If God calls for full restitution, this nation “under God” should follow suit. It is a righteous act to demand reparations and full restitution for people of color. Black Americans have waited too long for justice. America, your bill is due!

By Carliss Maddox