What does the Bible say about black and white marriage?

Interracial marriage has been a topic of debate and controversy for centuries. While society has made strides towards racial equality and acceptance, some people still hold onto outdated beliefs about the supposed "wrongness" of black and white marriages. But what does the Bible say about interracial marriage?

In the Bible, there are several instances where people of different races and nationalities marry. For example, Moses, the great leader of the Israelites, married a Cushite woman, who was likely of African descent. In the book of Ruth, a Moabite woman named Ruth marries an Israelite man named Boaz. These examples show that interracial marriage is not condemned in the Bible.

One of the most famous instances of interracial marriage in the Bible is the story of Moses and his wife Zipporah. Zipporah was a Midianite woman, and her marriage to Moses was not only accepted but also blessed by God. In the book of Numbers, it is recorded that Moses' own sister Miriam and brother Aaron spoke out against his marriage to a Cushite woman. As a result, Miriam was struck with leprosy as a punishment from God for her prejudice against Moses' interracial marriage.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians that in Christ, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." This verse speaks to the unity and equality that believers have in Christ, regardless of race or nationality.

Some people argue that the Bible does not support interracial marriage based on verses in the Old Testament that prohibit intermarriage between the Israelites and other nations. However, it is important to consider the historical context of these verses and the specific reasons for the prohibitions.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded not to intermarry with the surrounding pagan nations because of the risk of idolatry and turning away from God. The concern was not about race or skin color but about spiritual beliefs and practices that could lead the Israelites away from their faith. As Christians, we are no longer bound by these Old Testament laws, as Jesus fulfilled the law and ushered in a new covenant of grace and redemption.

Ultimately, the Bible does not condemn interracial marriage. Instead, it emphasizes love, unity, and acceptance of all people, regardless of race or nationality. As believers, we are called to love one another as Christ loved us and to treat all people with dignity and respect.