My mother, who washed my mouth out with soap once for saying, Shut up! to my sister, would have washed my mouth out with gasoline if she knew how foul my mouth was racially. Opposition to interracial marriage is one of the deepest roots of racial distance, disrespect, and hostility. In response to Miriams criticism, God does not get angry at Moses; he gets angry at Miriam. [Links], Adamo, D.T., 2001, Africa and the Africans in the Old Testament, Wipf & Stock, Eugene, OR. I, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. Zipporah was a worshiper of the true God. Here is where Christ makes the difference. In 1967, Nol and I attended the Urbana Missions Conference. And as long as we disapprove of it, we will be pushing our children, and therefore ourselves, away from each other. Its one of the hardest things in the world. THE CHALLENGES AND BLESSINGS OF INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE. Thereupon Jethro counseled Moses to select others to share the responsibilities of administration with him. (Hindi) (Malayalam). All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. And thats a real risk in any marriage. Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army. There is so much more to say about the challenges and blessings of interracial marriage. [Links], Luckenbill, D., 1968, Ancient records of Assyria and Babylonia, vol. [Links], Smith, N., 1929, Jeremiah, 4th edn., Harper & Row, New York. The over-protective spirit of Miriam cannot be left out of this objection. Why didn't God punish Moses when he unlawfully married an Ethiopian woman? We will celebrate the beauty, and we will embrace the burden. Life is hard. Why was Moses punished so harshly? 12:10). One quick walk through my churchs pictorial directory gives me a rough count of over two hundred non-Anglos. It just happens to be right and rewarding. I was on my way to redemption. It is gratifying that one of the greatest leaders of ancient Israel has an African wife. Vote Up For these lingering attitudes and actions I repent. ), p. 435, Moody Press, Chicago, IL.
Share When Moses acted upon this counsel without first consulting Miriam and Aaron,Miriam and Aaron became jealous of him and blamed Zipporah for what they considered Moses neglect of them. [Links], Budge, C., 1976, The Egyptian Sudan, vol. With great forcefulness he said, The Bible would say, Better a Christian Pakistani than a godless white American! The impact on us was profound. Maybe. It relieves the black church and black Christians from the inferiority complex imposed on Africa and Africans by the Euro-American slave masters, who believe that Africans are less than human beings.
Church is the most natural and proper place to find a spouse. They also help us analyze general site traffic so we can improve the website for everyone. [Links], Adamo, D.T., 2018, 'The portrayer of Africa and Africans in the book of Jeremiah', In die Skriflig 52(1), a2259. The term Ethiopia literally means 'burnt-face' and is used by the ancient Greeks to refer to the land of Africa and all black people both at home and abroad. These messages include indifference on her part, sorrow, anger and disapproval of Miriam and Aaron's protest. [Links], Davies, E., 1995, Numbers: The road to freedom, Sheffield Phonix Press, Sheffield. Why did God choose Aaron's sons to perform the duties of priesthood and not Moses' sons? What is the relevance of Joseph's bones as in Exodus 13: 19 and Genesis 35:25? And right at the heart of those attitudes was opposition to interracial marriage. Its hard to take a child to the mission field. Since I am a sinner still, I do not doubt that elements of it remain in meto my dismay. I dont think it exists. [Links], Noth, M., 1975, Numbers: A commentary, transl. When our church voted in 1963 not to admit blacks, when I was seventeen, my mother ushered the black guests at my sisters wedding right into the main sanctuary herself because the ushers wouldnt do it. They cant belong to the same clubs. 4:1016; Deut. [Links], Adamo D.T., 2014, 'The portrayal of Africa and Africans in the pentateuch and the major prophets: Implication for Christianity in modern Africa,' Theologia Viatorum 38(1), 63-77. ), Harper, New York. To the opposing views on interracial marriage, I would add my own experience. It is not limited to present modern Ethiopia. ), Interpreting classical religious texts, pp. [Links], Winslow, K., 2004, Proceedings Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI. The author declares that he has no financial or personal relationships which may have inappropriately influenced him in writing this article. Oppose interracial marriage, and you will help create a situation of racial disrespect. [Links], Felder, C.H., 1989, Troubling biblical waters: Race, class and family, Orbis, New York. What are some attitudes that make it hard to witness productively? [Links], Lokel, P., 2007, 'Moses and his Cushite wife reading Numbers 12:1 with undergraduate student of Makerere University', in K. Holter (ed.
This has some implication to the church in Africa. P.R. [Links], Gray, G.B., 1910, A critical and exegetical commentary on the book of Numbers, Charles Scribner, New York. 1 & 2, Clarke, Chicago, IL. Clarify Ackrod (rev. As believers, are we aware of the groanings of the Holy Spirit as we pray, and the Holy Spirit is praying with us? As part of our community, you will receive content & communication from 9Marks. : Anonymity and identity in biblical narrative', Oxford University Press, New York. 71-174, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Intermarriage is at stake. Ive Been Asked to Deliver the Announcements, Book Review: Christian Worldview, by Herman Bavinck, Whats Wrong with Us? What should a Christian understand about the theory of plate tectonics? Our pastoral staff has been working on it for years. [Links], Herodotus, II, 2:137-140; 2:152-154. Miriam here claimed equality with Moses, ignoring the fact that God had placed Moses in a unique position of authority (Ex. The interpreters, mostly Western exegetes, were the ones who brought modern prejudice to the interpretation of the Bible. Ethiopian woman literally means a Cushite woman (Gen. 10:6).
And there are circumstances which, together with biblical principles, make interracial marriage in many cases a positive good. More information is available on our Privacy Policy. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org, and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. Moses did not violate the principle of non-marriage with the heathen when he took her to wife, as they apparently claimed. ESV - [Links], Poyates, F., 1983, New perspective in nonverbal communication', Pergamon, New York. [Links], Schneider, T., 2008, Mothers of promise, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI. Because the supposed specter of interracial marriage demands that barrier after barrier must be put up to keep young people from knowing each other and falling in love. It means that Africa and Africans participated in the drama of redemption. Will it be harder to be married to another race, and will it be harder for the kids? What appears to me to be the reasons for the objection, is jealousy of Moses' authority and the privileges accorded to this authority. [Links], Reinhartz, A., 1998, 'Why ask my name? By continuing to use the 9M website, you consent to the use of cookies. [Links], Kemp, B.J, 1983, 'Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and Second Intermediate Period 2686-1522', In B.G Trigger, B.J Kemp, D. O'Connor & A.B Lloyd (eds. Our work is possible by the generosity of our readers. M.L. A Preachers Mailbag #3 | Preachers Talk, Ep 43, Episode 210: On The State of Evangelicalism (with Ligon Duncan and Simon Gathercole), Presbyterian Church in America annual meeting. A Cushite is from Cush, a region south of Ethiopia, where the people are known for their black skin. Thus it is quite clear that Moses marries a Black African woman (71). Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone. How can we forgive others without being a doormat. Cookies enable you to enjoy features such as social sharing. What does it mean, Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. We learn in Numbers that Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman (Num. (The International Critical Commentary). (ed. Life is hard.
4, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, New York. Upon rejoining Moses at Mt. ), Cambridge History of Africa, pp. [Links], Sadlers, R.S., 2005, 'Can a Cushite change his skin? 1. She was, under God, the seed of my salvation in more ways than one. Did Jesus recommend celibacy for spiritual growth? [Links], Strong, J., n.d., Ethiopia, Dugan, Gordonsville, VA. (Strong's exhaustive concordance of the Bible). 1, Arno Press, New York. 12:1). [Links], Adamo, G., 2007, 'Silence as a message conveying process: A study of Yoruba speakers of English in Nigeria', International Journal of Communication 17(1), 91-99. If you ever thought black was a biblical symbol for uncleanness, be careful; a worse white uncleanness could come upon you. [Links], Hawkins, S. & Stahlberg, L. (Phoenix Guide to the Old Testament). 2:1619; 3:1), and thus a descendant of Abraham (Gen. 25:1). [Links], Adamo, D.T., 2012, 'A mixed multitude: An African reading of Exodus12:38', in G. Brenner (ed. I was a southern teenage racist (by almost any definition). Report [Links], Trible, P., 1984, Text of terror: Literary feminist readings of biblical narrative, Fortress, Philadelphia, PA. [Links], Wagenaar, H., 2003, 'White as snow: Numbers 12 from an African perspective', Africa Theological Journal 1(26), 75-87. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis. And the more you love the harder it gets. Report. 1 & 2, transl. transl. [Links], Etheridge, J.W., 1968, The targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel on the pentateuch, KTAV Publication House, New York. Everybody knows deep down what is at stake here. [Links], Adamo, D.T, 2005, Africa and the Africans in the Old Testament, Justice Jeco, Benin. 2. In his book From Every People and Nation: A Biblical Theology of Race, Daniel Hays writes that Cush is used regularly to refer to the area south of Egypt, and above the cataracts on the Nile, where a Black African civilization flourished for over two thousand years. 4:25 and 18:2), Zipporah had observed the heavy burdens borne by her husband and expressed to Jethro her fears for Moses well-being. (eds. Its like the army being defeated because there arent enough troops, and the troops wont sign up because the armys being defeated. [Links], Pritchard, J.
June 09 2018 They will see to it that those who will not make desirable spouses stay in their place and do not have access to what they have access to. The black African woman might be silent to convey indifference to what was being discussed. The criticism has to do with Moses marriage and Moses authority. The risks are huge. They cant fellowship in church youth groups. The very situation of separation and suspicion and distrust and dislike that is brought about (among other things) by the fear of intermarriage, is used to justify the opposition to intermarriage. [Links], Williams, J., 2002, 'And she became Snow White: Numbers 12:1-16', Old Testament Essays 15(2), 259-268. Why? You can find him on Twitter at. Offering counsel on a wide-range of questions from actual readers like you!
Its hard to take a child and move into a mixed neighborhood where he may be teased or ridiculed. Suffice it to say now by way of practical conclusion: At my church, we will not underestimate the challenges of interracial marriage or transracial adoption (they go closely together). [Links], Keener, C. & Usry, G., 1996, Black man's religion, Intervarsity Press, Downer's Grove. The fact that Zipporah was a Midianite, though a worshiper of the true God, was used by Miriam and Aaron merely as an excuse for rebelling against the authority of Moses. [Links], Correspondence: David Adamo adamodt@yahoo.com, Received: 03 Apr. (12:3). 1 Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. You may unsubscribe at any time. Although the Old Testament culture relegates women or wives to the background, one will be correct to say that this Cushite woman must have contributed to the achievement of Moses as a law-giver, as prophet and as a deliverer, if we apply the saying that 'Behind any great man, there is a woman'. And I am sure the definition of Anglo is so vague that someone will be bothered that I even tried to count. Now I am a pastor. Why is it that when I read the Bible it scares me? Why would the writer of Ecclesiastes say the wise won't be remembered any longer than the fool after their deaths? They cant go to the same schools. Davidson said that the Hebrew term in Arabic means terror, but in the Bible it refers to Ethiopia and its inhabitants. [Links], Knierim, P. & Coats, G., 2005, Numbers, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI. Christ does not call us to a prudent life, but to a God-centered, Christ-exalting, justice-advancing, counter-cultural, risk-taking life of love and courage. 67-78, Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Why in Matthew 12:21 does it say Jesus came for the Gentiles? Maybe not. What are some common themes within Hebrews 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10? Martin, SCM, London.
The most explicit statement relates to the marriage: Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. Then God strikes Miriam with leprosy. [Links], Oswalt, J.N., 1980, in Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, 2, R.L Harris, G.L Archer Jr & B.K. I was a senior at Wheaton. Revival vs. Revivalism. But God is good. But the point is this: dozens and dozens of them are children and teenagers and single young men and women. My attitudes and actions were demeaning and disrespectful toward non-whites. [Links], Rawlinson, G., n.d., History of ancient Egypt, vols. And Christ is strong to help. The effect of that is not harmony, not respect, and not equality of opportunity. https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v52i1.2259[Links], Bailey, R., 1991, 'Beyond identification: The use of Africans in the Old Testament poetry and narratives,' in C. Felder (ed. A good answer provides new insight and perspective. [Links], Maspero, G., 1968, The dawn of civilization, vols. [Links], Adamo, D.T., 2013b, 'The nameless African wife of Potiphar and her contribution to ancient Israel', Old Testament Essay 23(2), 221-248. 165-184, Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. McClure, Frederick Ungar Publication, New York. 917-918, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. PDF, ePub, and Kindle files will be sent to this email address. Presently, we are most closely committed to the definition given several summers ago at the Presbyterian Church in America annual meeting: Racism is an explicit or implicit belief or practice that qualitatively distinguishes or values one race over other races. That is what I mean when I say I was a racist growing up in Greenville, South Carolina. It will make life hard for the couple and hard for the kids. Theyll be called half-breeds. Its a catch-22. ), 1969, Ancient near Eastern text relating to the Old Testament, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
J.D. The Bible does not oppose or forbid interracial marriages. Show me one place in the world where interracial or interethnic marriage is frowned upon and yet the two groups still have equal respect and honor and opportunity. Zipporahs father was actually a Midianite (Ex.
- Long Beach Photography Store
- Chapstick Original Walmart
- Model Railroad Discussion Forums
- Simple Sales Projection Template
- How Many Elk In Washington State
- Sinkhole Inspection Cost
- Fortnite Content Update Today
- Buy Here Pay Here Burlington, Nj
- All-inclusive Resorts From Lax
- Drip/busd Lp Token Contract Address
