They shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; Micah 4:4
This verse from Micah was a favorite in colonial America largely in part because it embodied the desire of colonial farmers turned soldiers to be free and enjoy the fruits of their labor—to sit in the shade of the vines they planted. As these farmers laid down their plows and pruning shears to pick up swords and guns in the fight for independence from Britain, it was with this ultimate goal in mind—to relax in the shade of freedom rather than cower in the pall of injustice and capricious rulers.
On Sunday, I mentioned how January 16 is celebrated as Religious Freedom Day commemorating the Virginia General Assembly adopting Thomas Jefferson’s Statute for Religious Freedom. This statue would become the foundation for the first amendment ensuring that the government should neither inhibit the free exercise of religion nor establish or prefer one religion over another.
Four years after Virginia first codified the freedom of, for, and from religion, and while the colonies were considering whether or not to ratify the Constitution of this new nation, President George Washington went on a tour of New England. Upon visiting Newport, Rhode Island in 1790, Washington along with Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, were greeted by various government officials and religious representatives. One representative from Newport’s Jewish community, read a letter voicing his congregation’s gratitude for Washington’s leadership and their hope that this new government would accord respect to all its citizens regardless of background or religion.
In response, Washington wrote a letter to the Hebrew congregation assuring them of more than just tolerance, but full freedom to practice their faith under this new government. His letter, along with the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, help dispel the myth that the United States was founded as a Christian nation. In it, Washington wrote:
It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.
In his assurance, Washington draws upon the imagery of Micah, going on to write:
May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants—while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.
Yesterday, we heard this verse from Micah quoted again. This time by a young black female activist and poet Amanda Gorman as she read her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Her stirring words were a song of hope as we the people continue striving to realize the ideals we profess and reckon with the history we possess.
As we celebrate this new year, entire this new administration, and continue this process of discerning how God’s calling us to proclaim Good News where we are, I pray we strive to cultivate new growth, clarify our mission, and create spaces where no one is afraid.
In Love,
Pastor Annette