20th March 2024

Be exalted in your strength, LORD; we will sing and praise your might

(Psalm 21)

Prayer

So we hail our God, Eternal God, Ras Tafari, hear us and help us and cause Thy face to shine upon us, Thy children.

Kebra Negast

12. CONCERNING CANAAN 

Now, it was Canaan who rent the kingdom from the children of Shem, and he transgressed the oath which his father Noah had made them to swear. And the sons of Canaan were seven mighty men, and he took seven mighty cities from the land of Shem, and set his sons over them; and likewise he also made his own portion double. And in later days God took vengeance upon the sons of Canaan, and made the sons of Shem to inherit their country. These are the nations whom they inherited: the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Jebusites, and the Girgasites; these are they whom Canaan seized by force from the seed of Shem. For it was not right for him to invade [his] kingdom, and to falsify the oath, and because of this they ceased to be, and their memorial perished, through transgressing [God’s] command, and worshipping idols, and bowing down to those who were not gods.

And after the death of Shem Arphaxad reigned, and after the death of Arphaxad Ḳâynân 1 (Cainan) reigned, and after the death of Ḳâynân Sâlâ (Salah) reigned, and after him Eber reigned, and after him Pâlêḳ (Peleg) reigned, and after him Râgâw (Reu) reigned, and after him Sêrôḥ (Serug) reigned, and after him Nakhôr (Nahor) reigned, and after him Târâ (Terah) reigned. And these are they who made magical images, and they went to the tombs of their fathers and made an image (or, picture) of gold, and silver, and brass, and a devil used to hold converse with them out of each of the images of their fathers, and say unto them, “O my son So-and-so, offer up unto me as a sacrifice the son whom thou lovest.” And they slaughtered their sons and their daughters to the devils, and they poured out innocent blood to filthy devils.

I read this chapter and wondered where all these places were, so I looked it up and found this map. It’s from a website called ‘the freeman institute.com’ and I thought you might be interested in where the people mentioned in the Kebra Negast reading lived….

Last week we looked at Psalm 20 and this week we are going to look at its partner, Psalm 21. Both of them are written by King David in the form of a prayer, during times of war. Where Psalm 20 is a prayer asking JAH for help in gaining success in war, for the honour of JAH, Psalm 21 is a thanksgiving for the successes that JAH helped him achieve. It is a personal prayer of praise by King David at the strength and might of JAH, instead of his enemies, but also how much more JAH gave him than just an answer to his prayers. It reminded me of a verse that I read this week, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24 NIV It is also a good reminder for us that what you have asked for in prayer you should thank JAH for when it is received, whether it is for you or for others.

Psalm 21

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How great is his joy in the victories you give!

2 You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.

3 You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.

4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him— length of days, for ever and ever.

5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendour and majesty.

6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

7 For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.

8 Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes.

9 When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace. The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire will consume them.

10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind.

11 Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.

12 You will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow.

13 Be exalted in your strength, LORD; we will sing and praise your might.

This week, on the 25th March, it is Queen Omega, Empress Menen Asfaw’s earth day. To celebrate this I thought I would find an article about her for you to read. This is by Biko Lion, published 3 years ago on the website rastaknowledge.com, and has many observations by people who knew the empress….

Celebrating the life of Empress Menen I, balance in creation on Her 130th Earthstrong. Queen Omega, The Royal daughter of Zion. Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Menen Asfaw. Born April 3, 1891 she was crowned empress on Nov. 2, 1930 and maintained that royal title until Feb. 15, 1962 when she died at age 70 in Addis Ababa.

Empress Menen Asfaw was born 3rd April 1891 Gregorian Calendar (25 March 1883 Ethiopian Calendar). As Woizero Menen Asfaw also Manan Dagmawit, in the Egua village of the Ambassel region of the Wollo province. She was baptised Walatta Giyorgis in the St Delba Giorgis Church. Her name Menen was given for the most beautiful respected ladies.

Woizero Menen probably met Dejazmach Tafari Makonnen (later Emperor Haile Selassie) at the home of her uncle, Lij Iyasu. This joyful occasion may have inspired Lij Iyasu to attempt to bind Dejazmach Tafari to him more firmly through marriage ties. The future Emperor was very impressed by her character and friendly disposition. H.I.M Emperor Haile Selassie then Governor of Harar in His twentieth year said of H.I.M. Itegue Menen “Her character is such that, apart from goodness, there is no evil or malice in her. Ever since, we were married, we lived together, by virtue of her being fertile, in one family joy, as well as sadness.”

Blessed Love, Greetings in the name of Her Imperial Majesty InI beloved Empress (Etege) Menen Asfaw, also known as Queen Omega, Living through the lineage of King Solomon and Prophet Mohammed representing the Woman of the world, in particular Rastafari Woman, who in general are more connected, knowledgeable and have more Love for Her Majesty. For InI she is the perfect example for Woman to look to, also having an important role for Female equality around the world. Being One with Rastafari and therefore blessed to have this opportunity to set a good example on a world wide scale.

BIRTH

Empress Menen was born 3 April 1891, Gregorian calendar (25 March 1883 Ethiopian Calendar) as Woizero Menen Asfaw (or Manan Dagmawit) in the village Egua of the Ambassel region in the Wollo province. The name Menen was usually given to the most beautiful and respected woman in Ethiopia. At eleven weeks (80 days) on the 21st of June she was baptised Walatta Giyorgis (Wolete Giorgis) in the Ethiopian Orthodox St Delba Giorgis Church.

CHILDREN

Their(RasTafari and Hers) sacred and happy union lasted forty-seven years during which time they had six children – three daughters and three sons and many grandchildren.

CROWNING

The day before Empress Menen received the divine coronation on the same day as the Emperor, she joined him in a night of fasting and constant prayer until the early morning hours as they prepared to take on the mantles such as: “Elect of YAH”, “Rose of Sharon”, “Bright and Morning Star”, and “Light of the World”.

For the first time in Ethiopian history, Empress Menen was crowned Queen of Queens, alongside Emperor Haile Selassie I, King of Kings on 2 November 1930 at St Giorgis Church in Addis Ababa. On Coronation day, H.I.M Empress Menen was given a gold and ivory sceptre. At the foot of the sceptre the name of YAH is engraved and the Pentacle of King Solomon. She was crowned Itegue Menen, Itegue being the title of an Empress. It is to be noted that H.I.M Emperor Haile Selassie I, set a new precedent for how women were viewed, by changing the course of Ethiopian history insisting that the Empress be coronated on the same day as the Emperor and not three days later as was the custom, noting that both are from the King Solomon and Queen Makeda lineage.

CHARACTER OF THE EMPRESS

A mother of 6, she balanced a stable family life together with her King and husband, Ras Tafari, crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I. She became His trusted adviser in national and international affairs, and strengthened the confidence of millions of women by educating them and giving them opportunities to shine.

Her garments were always royal, elegant, extremely appropriate by international standards, and indeed, they show her royalty with the finest of silks, cottons, and other fine materials often woven with gold, silver, and velvet.

Empress Menen performed perfectly in the role of Empress. In her public role she combined religious acts, concern for social causes, and support for development schemes with the majesty of her Imperial status. Outwardly she was the dutiful wife, visiting schools, churches, exhibitions and model farms, attending public and state events at her husband’s side or by herself.

She took no public stand on political or policy issues. Behind the scenes however, she was the Emperor’s most trusted adviser, offering advice on a whole range of issues and assisting in writing the elegant speeches of His Majesty. She avoided the publicly political role that her predecessor as Empress, Empress Taitu Bitul, had taken, which had caused deep resentment in government circles during the reign of Menelik II. Although Early in the reign of Haile Selassie I an army revolt broke out and His Majesty was taken hostage. Her Majesty commandeered a tank to brake through the garrison’s gate to free her husband.

Empress Menen is known to have been devoted to the traditions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, including honouring of holy feasts such as Passover and Sabbath Days. These traditions include much fasting and prayer, and strict observance of church rules and regulations. This made her a model Queen for all women in Ethiopia, by remaining involved in the current affairs and progression of her country while remaining steadfast to the holy traditions of the Ethiopian Empire. As a devote and faithful Christian in the Orthodox faith she was often in deep prayer. She went to St. Mark church every morning and stayed up to 9 A.M. praying to YAH and received monks and nuns that came from different churches and monasteries. Every Friday She went to St. Mark Church for special praying since Friday is the day which Yahshua was crucified. When the Empress went from the palace to the church, she received women who lost their husbands in the war front and tried to fulfil whatever they asked of her.

The Empress never alienated other churches, she always read their books and liked to give attention for the interpreted views of the church. She is a Queen to rise up and fulfil every standard as a woman, wife, monarch, Christian, mother, and a benefactor to all who needed her most in her country, Empress Menen Asfaw has become the perfect role model for a woman.

The Empress supported numerous charitable causes for the poor, the infirm and the handicapped. Empress Menen let Orphans to learn who lived in areas outside the capital city. She listened to the problems of the poor and always visited patients in hospitals. She took an active interest in all that went on, frequently visiting schools, looking in on classes and presiding at awards and graduation ceremonies. Empress Menen’s contributions to churches, schools, hospitals are widely recognised as unparalleled by any other woman in Ethiopian history. H.I.M Empress Menen sought to serve the people instead of demanding services from them.

Empress Menen herself had been in deep sorrow because of the passing of some of her beloved children. As she is strong spiritually, the Almighty YAH gave her strength to overcome this. Therefore even though she lost children she never neglected the country’s problems, this is well known by Ethiopian people. She passed each problem patiently. All Ethiopian people shared her grief and sympathised with her. Therefore, the Ethiopian people love Empress Menen from the bottom of their heart and shared the happiness and sadness with her. Her Majesty, was a fine example of how women of today should lead their lives. Virtuous and royal, courageous and divine, faithful to the almighty.

Prayer

InI father in heaven. Hallowed be thy name, may your kingdom come, may your will be done. On earth and in heaven.please oh JAH Give InI this our daily bread, and forgive us of our trespass as InI forgive those that trespass against InI. Please JAH do not bring us to the time of trial, but deliver InI from every evil. Almighty I JAH RASTAFARI HAILE SELASSIE I the first. King of kings, lord of lords, elect of god, light of the world. Thank you JAH FOR EVERYTHING you have given InI and blessed unto InI. In your holy name I pray Yeshua. JAH RAstafari