The Bible clearly condemns racism, yet we rarely hear about it. Here is an example. Check out Numbers 12. Here is how that chapter begins.

Numbers 12:1-2 (Today’s New International Version) Numbers

Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the LORD heard this.

What is a Cushite? Wikipedia describes Cush here. The 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica describes Cush here. Because Cush existed long ago, we have forgotten the exact location of its borders. What we know with certainty is that black people populated Cush.

What these first two verses make clear is that Miriam and Aaron envied Moses’ leadership and that they resented the Cushite woman. Who is this Cushite woman? That is not clear, but it is clear that Miriam and Aaron resent her because she is a Cushite.

In His reply to their complaints, the Lord expressed His trust in Moses and asked Miriam and Aaron “why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?” Thus, the Lord made it clear that He was not concerned about His servant’s Cushite wife.

Because of their jealousy, the Lord God punished Miriam (and therefore Aaron) by turning her white as snow.

Numbers 12:9-10 (New Living Translation)

The Lord was very angry with them, and he departed. As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy

Why did the Lord turn Miriam as white as snow? It would seem God has a sense of humor.

H/T to The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals for the observation.  From the 10/10/2010 program, Complaints and Opposition, by Dr. James Boice.