Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Blessedness of Forsaking
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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 9:12
Now 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
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 6:17,18
Why come out from among them, and be you separate, said the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

part ii
... easily obtained (money, position in society, honours, distinctions ... towards everyone,
even towards our enemies, readily excusing ... is the soul when it is with God! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... even sufficient if you resort to the society of noble ... Man, wronged by his fellow,
cries to God, and can imagine no deliverance save by the ruin of his enemies. ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

Resources
What is the Southern Baptist Convention, and what do Southern Baptists believe? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Christianity (All) | GotQuestions.org

What is the National Council of Churches? | GotQuestions.org

Alliance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Alliance

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: Children Who Enter Into, Bring Shame Upon Their Parents

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: Judas Iscariot

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 Meet With, in Their Intercourse With The

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: Saints should be Circumspect when Unintentionally Thrown Into

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Sin of, to be Confessed, Deeply Repented of, and Forsaken

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

Alliances: Abraham and Abimelech

Alliances: Ahaz and Tiglath

Alliances: Asa and Benhadad

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: Rezin and Pekah

Alliances: Solomon and Hiram

Alliances: Zedekiah and Pharaoh

Related Terms

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)

Lacedaemonians

Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)

Ahaziah (34 Occurrences)

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)

Ahab (85 Occurrences)

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)

Tyre (59 Occurrences)

Asmoneans

League (20 Occurrences)

Immanuel (3 Occurrences)

Rhegium (1 Occurrence)

Eglon (13 Occurrences)

Pekah (11 Occurrences)

Battle (282 Occurrences)

Carchemish (3 Occurrences)

Hiram (21 Occurrences)

Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)

Solomon (277 Occurrences)

Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)

Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)

Hittites (39 Occurrences)

Allied (13 Occurrences)

Isaiah (64 Occurrences)

Moabites (26 Occurrences)

Balaam (62 Occurrences)

Pharisees (86 Occurrences)

Maccabees

Moab (162 Occurrences)

Captivity (141 Occurrences)

Hamath (36 Occurrences)

Zidon (25 Occurrences)

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)

Zobah (15 Occurrences)

Kin (18 Occurrences)

Kir-haraseth (1 Occurrence)

Kirharaseth (1 Occurrence)

Nebuchadnezzar (90 Occurrences)

Jabin (8 Occurrences)

Joab (128 Occurrences)

Josiah (51 Occurrences)

Jehonadab (2 Occurrences)

Greeks (22 Occurrences)

Grecians (4 Occurrences)

With (66342 Occurrences)

Fable

Treaty (25 Occurrences)

Relationship (4 Occurrences)

Related (45 Occurrences)

Ruth (19 Occurrences)

Eumenes

Detect (3 Occurrences)

Media (14 Occurrences)

Merodach-baladan (2 Occurrences)

Merodachbaladan (1 Occurrence)

Mamre (10 Occurrences)

Merab (4 Occurrences)

Prince (160 Occurrences)

Pharaohnecoh

Pharaoh-necoh (3 Occurrences)

Prisoner (87 Occurrences)

Propose (8 Occurrences)

Phicol (3 Occurrences)

Partnership (4 Occurrences)

Pashur (12 Occurrences)

Brotherly (8 Occurrences)

Benjamin (167 Occurrences)

Hebron (71 Occurrences)

Confederate (3 Occurrences)

Cyrene (7 Occurrences)

Connection (72 Occurrences)

Chios (1 Occurrence)

Chephirah (4 Occurrences)

Confederacy (2 Occurrences)

Conspire (18 Occurrences)

Chub (1 Occurrence)

Anathema (6 Occurrences)

Acco (2 Occurrences)

Asa (54 Occurrences)

Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Blessedness of Avoiding
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