Contested Interpretation For Rebuttal:
Deuteronomy 7:3 is one of many scriptures that many ambitious awakened folks take out of context. It's not specifically talking about a prohibition of marrying European nations. Contextually, it's referring to not marrying other BLACK AND BROWN-FACED NATIONS as Torah Way JP profoundly brought out in his post concerning Deuteronomy 7:3. The context has to deal with marrying other nations (including black and brown-skinned nations) that served other idolatrous pagan deities, who didn't follow the Laws given to Yashar'AL, and didn't want to serve YAHUAH. One might not be a big proponent of marrying others outside our ethnicity and faith but what one cannot do is be guilty of poor contextualization nor endorse theologies foreign to the Biblical text, thus trying to make the scriptures say something that it is not saying.
We are guilty of selective theology birthed out of historical wounds, retributive vengeance, punitory justice towards our oppressors, and ignoring contextual meaning. This is dangerous, especially for those that are tasked with teaching the scriptures. Do we keep the same energy when an Ibriy marries a [black] Hamite (knowingly or unknowingly)? Deuteronomy 7 would apply to them too and not just un-hued persons.
(NOTE: Arguably ALL BLACK CANAANITE NATIONS!)
Rebuttal:
Deuteronomy 7:1-4 :
7 When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— 2 and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy. 3 Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, 4 for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the LORD’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.
The text specifically lists nations like the Amorites, who were not defined by today’s racial classifications, making modern racial applications to these ancient texts inaccurate.
It is true that the nations mentioned in Deuteronomy 7:1-4, like the Amorites, were not white but black nations. The concept of black and white arose during the colonial era in the 17th century, making comparisons based on skin color historically inaccurate.
Historical Context:
Benjamin Franklin noted that many Europeans were not considered white but swarthy, including Spaniards, Italians, French, Russians, Swedes, and Germans (except Saxons). He described Africa, Asia, and pre-colonial America as populated by non-white or "tawny" complexioned people. This underscores that the binary concepts of 'white' and 'black' are recent constructs. Therefore, the nations mentioned in Deuteronomy 7 were not identified simply by their skin color.
Genesis 15 and the Amorites:
Genesis 15:12-16 connects the Amorites to Israelite captivity:
12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”
The Amorites were depicted with fair skin, light hair, blue eyes, and large stature, similar to the descriptions of the children of the watchers in the Book of Enoch. The Amorites, as we see in Genesis 15, are connected to our slavery and are described as white. We are prohibited from marrying them, and both the Amorites and descendants of our modern enslavers happen to be the same complexion as our ancient enemies, the descendants of the Giants.
Modern Day Amorites and Historical Context:
James Grey Jackson's "An Account of Timbuctoo and Housa”
“An emigration of the Amorites * are now in possession of the declivity of the Atlas Mountains, westw^ard of the sanctuary'' of MuleyDriss, and in the neighbourhood of the ruins of Pharaoh ;”
Historical texts, such as James Grey Jackson's "An Account of Timbuctoo and Housa," suggest that the Amorites might have migrated to areas like the Atlas Mountains, where Berbers with white skin, blue eyes, and light hair live today. This supports the idea that their appearance and geographic location could change over time, complicating simple racial categorizations.
Selective Theology and Marriage:
It is argued that selective theology, driven by historical wounds and vengeance, distorts biblical context. The Amorites were indeed connected to our slave trade according to Genesis 15, and are described as having light skin. This connection emphasizes the importance of understanding who we are prohibited from marrying according to scripture. In Old Testament times, many of these nations were darker, but not today. Who we call Europeans may not necessarily be the people who originated from Europe, and if they did originate there, they still appear to be prophetically connected to our enemies. Didn’t the scriptures state we would be enslaved in the land of our enemies? Are we supposed to marry our enemies now?
Ezra 9:12 :
12 Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them at any time, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.
Marrying non-Israelite nations can result in giving up birthrights and inheritance. While Gentiles may follow the faith, the scriptures do not explicitly endorse marrying them. Our ancestors did not marry foreigners despite cohabiting with them, and this principle should still hold.
Ultimately, while love is important, marriage also involves inheritance and maintaining the sanctity of what was given to Israelites by TMH. The Contested Interpretation for rebuttal above lacks scholarly depth, but the essence of the biblical teachings remains crucial for understanding and application.
Conclusion:
The scriptures provide clear directives against marrying those who historically and prophetically represent our adversaries. This stance is not about harboring resentment but about adhering faithfully to divine commands. Where scripture mandates, our compliance is not optional but a testament to our commitment to uphold the sanctity of our inherited blessings and responsibilities.
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