MOSES' MARRIAGE A.

MOSES MARRIED A BLACK WOMAN The one incident of interracial marriage that is fully dealt with in the Bib le shows God backing up the individuals who entered into that marriage. Before we read the passage, let me repeat that I am not advocating what some people .call "mongrelization." (Let people who use this term beware for they wi ll one day be judged by Him who humbles the proud and hates respect of persons.) Interracial marriage in our society is difficult; and it is not wise, therefore , to enter into it. But it is not a sin for one Christian to marry another witho ut regard to nationality. In spite of social pressure, there are a great many pl aces in the world where interracial marriages can and do work. Men could do God' s work under such conditions in New York City, London, Jamaica, South America, t he Near East, and other places right here in the Western Hemisphere. Any Christi an who contemplates interracial marriage should accept as a foregone conclusion that he will serve the Lord in such an area. Some of my brethren are of mixed ra cial origin. They are not sinning in marrying. Their parents have not sinned, be cause "marriage is honorable in all and the bed is undefiled." (Hebrews 13:1) Let us now examine the passage of scripture. "And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite (negro) woman whom he had married, for he had married an Ethiopian [ "cushith" ] (black ) woman. And they said, Has the LORD spoken only by Moses? Has he not also spoke n by us? And the Lord heard it. Now the man Moses was very meek...And the LORD s poke suddenly to Moses and to Aaron and to Miriam, Come out ye three to the tabe rnacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the LORD came down in t he pillar of the cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregati on... and He said, Wherefore were you not afraid to speak against my servant Mos es? And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them. And the cloud departed.. .and behold Miriam became leprous, white as snow...And Aaron said, Alas my lord. ..lay not the sin upon us wherein we have done FOOLISHLY and wherein we have SIN NED." (Numbers 12:1ff) The narrative continues with Moses' appeal to God in behalf of Miriam. God s ays, "If her .father had but spit in her face she would be shut out of the camp seven days." So they shut her out seven days. Some Initial Conclusions These observations are obtained:: Moses married an Ethiopian woman. (Interra cial .marriage) He was criticized for marrying a Cushite woman. (Prejudice) His authority was called in question because he married a black woman. (Rebellion) G od intervened and took Moses' part. Moses had not sinned. Aaron said, "We have d one foolishly. We have sinned." God has a sense of humor. Can you see it? If whi te is so good I will make you white, as white as snow! As leprous as snow! God s ettled the problem of authority in this case that was brought up because THEY fe lt that anyone IGNORANT enough to marry a NEGRO was a poor leader. God showed th at Miriam and Aaron were wrong. Moses had not sinned in marrying. More on Zipporah, Moses' Wife (Nu 12:1) And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiop ian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. The Hebrew says, And Miriam spoke, using a feminine singular verb, ["tedaber," ] indicatin g Miriam's leadership in this opposition. Aaron was an easily led, willing, but weak minded participant, as is his position in other events, hence the punishmen t was inflicted on Miriam alone.