Fellowship, in the biblical context, refers to the companionship, association, or partnership with others, particularly in spiritual or communal matters. The Bible provides numerous examples and warnings about the dangers of fellowship with the wicked, emphasizing the spiritual and moral consequences of such associations. The Israelites, God's chosen people, serve as a poignant example of the perils of engaging in fellowship with those who do not follow God's commandments.

Biblical Warnings Against Fellowship with the Wicked

The Scriptures consistently warn against forming alliances or engaging in fellowship with those who practice wickedness. In Psalm 1:1 , it is written, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers." This verse underscores the importance of avoiding the influence and companionship of those who reject God's ways.

The Israelites' Experience

The history of the Israelites is replete with instances where fellowship with the wicked led to dire consequences. One of the most notable examples is found in the Book of Numbers, where the Israelites, during their wilderness journey, fell into idolatry and immorality through their association with the Moabites. Numbers 25:1-3 recounts, "While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab, who invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the LORD’s anger burned against them."

This incident illustrates how the Israelites' fellowship with the Moabites led them to abandon their covenant with God, resulting in severe punishment. The Lord's anger was kindled against Israel, leading to a plague that claimed the lives of 24,000 Israelites (Numbers 25:9).

The Influence of Pagan Nations

Throughout their history, the Israelites were repeatedly warned against forming alliances with pagan nations. In Deuteronomy 7:2-4 , God commanded the Israelites, "And when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following Me to serve other gods, and the anger of the LORD will burn against you and will swiftly destroy you."

Despite these clear instructions, the Israelites often failed to heed God's warnings. The Book of Judges records a cycle of disobedience where the Israelites repeatedly fell into idolatry after forming alliances with surrounding nations. Judges 3:5-6 states, "Thus the Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. And they took the daughters of these people in marriage, gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods."

The Consequences of Disobedience

The Israelites' fellowship with the wicked often led to spiritual decline, idolatry, and eventual judgment. The prophet Isaiah lamented the nation's unfaithfulness, declaring in Isaiah 1:4 , "Oh, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of depravity! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him."

The consequences of such fellowship were not only spiritual but also national. The Israelites faced invasions, captivity, and exile as a result of their disobedience and alliances with ungodly nations. The Babylonian exile serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate price of forsaking God's commandments in favor of worldly associations.

Lessons for Believers

The experiences of the Israelites serve as a cautionary tale for believers today. The New Testament echoes these warnings, urging Christians to be discerning in their associations. In 2 Corinthians 6:14 , the Apostle Paul writes, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?"

The biblical narrative of the Israelites underscores the importance of maintaining purity in fellowship and the dangers of compromising one's faith through associations with those who reject God's ways.Ezra 9:1,2
Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
Nave's Topical Index

How a Man's Conduct Comes Home to Him
... highly favored he could not have been so basely wicked. ... from abiding in Christ, and
from the fellowship of the ... heart." Now the heart is the fountain of evil. ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/how a mans conduct comes.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ...
... is thus: Jude means that those wicked people had ... lent our aid to exterminate the
evil from among ... them were converted to God and brought into church fellowship. ...
/.../chapter 10 from the close.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... and unless also they left this wicked world behind ... Here his evil habits followed
him, notwithstanding his ... The only thing essential to church-fellowship, in Mr ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

part ii
... for others"His children; and as parents, at the request of their good and
well-principled children, forgive their wicked, capricious, and evil-natured ones ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... It is talked of, where I dwell, as if thou hadst a desire to go thither; also, there
is a report, that thou art aware of the evil thou hast formerly done to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

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Fellowship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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