Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, alliances and associations with the enemies of God are consistently portrayed as detrimental to the spiritual health and mission of God's people. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that underscore the dangers of such alliances and the blessings that come from forsaking them.Old Testament Examples The Old Testament is replete with instances where the Israelites were warned against forming alliances with pagan nations. These nations often worshiped false gods and engaged in practices that were abominable to the Lord. In Deuteronomy 7:2-4 , God commands 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." King Solomon's alliances through marriage with foreign women led to his heart being turned away from God, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:1-4 . This serves as a cautionary tale about the spiritual peril of forming close ties with those who do not share a commitment to the Lord. Prophetic Warnings The prophets frequently warned Israel and Judah about the dangers of relying on foreign powers rather than trusting in God. Isaiah 31:1 declares, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the abundance of chariots and in the multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD." These warnings highlight the futility and spiritual compromise involved in seeking security and strength from those who do not honor God. The prophets called the people back to exclusive reliance on the Lord, emphasizing that true safety and blessing come from Him alone. New Testament Teachings The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to maintain purity in their associations. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 , 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? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? Therefore, 'Come out from among them and be separate,' says the Lord." This passage underscores the importance of spiritual separation from those who oppose God's ways, highlighting the incompatibility of light and darkness. The call to be separate is not a call to isolation but to holiness and distinctiveness in one's walk with God. Blessedness of Forsaking Forsaking alliances with the enemies of God brings about divine favor and blessing. Psalm 1:1-2 states, "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, but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." The blessedness described here is a result of choosing God's ways over the ways of the wicked. It is a life marked by stability, fruitfulness, and prosperity in the spiritual sense, as one aligns with God's purposes and rejects the influence of those who oppose Him. Conclusion The biblical witness is clear: alliances and associations with the enemies of God lead to spiritual compromise and peril. However, the blessedness of forsaking such alliances is evident in the life of those who choose to walk in obedience to God's commands, finding their delight and security in Him alone. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezra 9:12Now therefore give not your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters to your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that you may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. Torrey's Topical Textbook Proverbs 9:6 2 Corinthians 6:17,18 Library part ii A Traveler's Note-Book Resources What is the Southern Baptist Convention, and what do Southern Baptists believe? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about Christianity (All) | GotQuestions.org What is the National Council of Churches? | GotQuestions.org Alliance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are a Proof of Folly Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Defiling Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Degrading Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Enslaved Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Ensnaring Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Ruinous to Moral Character Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Ruinous to Spiritual Interest Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: A Call to Come out From Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Ahaziah Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Blessedness of Avoiding Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Blessedness of Forsaking Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Evil Consequences of Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: Church of Ephesus Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: David Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: Jeremiah Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: Joseph of Arimathaea Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: Man of God Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: Nehemiah Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Forsaking: Israelites Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Forsaking: Sons of the Priests Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of the Judgments of God Against: Ahaziah Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of the Judgments of God Against: Korah Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Exhortations to Hate and Avoid Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Exhortations to Shun all Inducements To Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Forbidden Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Have Led to Murder and Human Sacrifice Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Involve Saints in Their Guiltiness Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Involve Saints in Their Punishment Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Israel Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Israelites Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Jehoram Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Jehoshaphat Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Judas Iscariot Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Lead to Idolatry Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Means of Preservation From Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Persons in Authority should Denounce Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Pious Parents Prohibit, to Their Children Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Provoke God to Leave Mean to Reap the Fruits of Them Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Provoke the Anger of God Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Punishment of Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Rehoboam Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Saints are Separate From Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Saints Deprecate Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Saints Grieve to Witness in Their Brethren Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Saints Hate and Avoid Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Solomon Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: The Wicked are Prone To Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: The Wicked Tempt Saints To Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Unbecoming in Those Called Saints Alliances: Abraham and Abimelech Alliances: Between Abraham and Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner Alliances: Canaanitish Nations Against Israel Alliances: Isaac and Abimelech Alliances: Jehoshaphat and Ahab Alliances: Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah Alliances: Joshua and the Gibeonites Alliances: Moabites, Amalekites, and Ammonites Alliances: Political with Idolaters Forbidden Alliances: Ratification of by Giving the Hand Alliances: Ratification of by Oaths Alliances: Zedekiah and Pharaoh Related Terms Nebuchadnezzar (90 Occurrences) Merodach-baladan (2 Occurrences) |