What does the bible say about interracial marriages?
What does the bible say about interracial marriages?
"And Miriam and Moses spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian Woman he had married; for he had married and Ethiopian woman." Numbers 12:1 You can vividly picture this scene today, I know I can. Perhaps you can hear a parent saying..."I forbid you to marry outside our race!" Or, maybe even going as far as to disown the person who did marry outside their race, family or not family.
Numbers 12:1 clearly describes a similar scene, Moses had married an Ethiopian woman, and his brother and sister were against it. But, the story doesn't end with that...the Lord suddenly spoke to the 3 siblings and called them to the tabernacle entrance. There, the Lord rebuked them. (Numbers 12:4-8)
The Lord rebuked Aaron and Miriam, and Miriam was struck with leprosy and later healed (Numbers 12:9).
Some people may use Leviticus 21:10, and Deuteronomy to support their prejudice stand against interracial marriages, claiming it is in the bible that it is against it. Leviticus 21 gives marrying instructions to the High Priest:
"...these shall he marry; but he shall take a virgin of his own people as wife."
(*note -- Aaron and his descendants were chosen by God to hold the priesthood)
These instructions are clearly stated: "a virgin" and "from his own people." If someone is using this scripture as their stand against interracial marriages they must use it in the context it is written, and not just a
part of it. The instructions are for the High Priest, and she is also to be a virgin.
Now, let me address Deuteronomy 7. This is where God gives instructions to the Hebrews regarding the promised land. God instructs them to "utterly destroy" the people who are now occupying the land that God is giving to them.
They are also instructed to "show no mercy" and "not to make marriages with them." Then God tells them why they are not to marry them...(Duet. 7:4) "For they will turn your sons away from following ME, to serve other gods..."
Before Christ died for us, the Hebrews were the only people to serve the One true God. Everyone else worshiped idols and false gods.
So, why can't these scriptures be used to support someone's stand against interracial marriages? Well, if you consider the Gospels, you will find that Christ came and died for the whole world, giving everyone access to the throne of grace.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."
This includes all races. And under the Law of Grace, God's grace that is, we are all ONE IN CHRIST!
1 Corinthians 12:13 "...- Whether Jews or Greeks, whether Slaves or Free - and All have been made to drink into ONE SPIRIT."
About the Author
I am a 27 year old work at home mom. I have two sons, ages 6 and 2. My husband has been in the military for about 9 yrs now.
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