The concept of forming alliances or maintaining societal relationships with the enemies of God is a recurring theme in the Bible, often accompanied by stern warnings and prohibitions. This topic is addressed through various narratives, laws, and prophetic admonitions, emphasizing the spiritual and moral dangers of such associations.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were repeatedly cautioned against forming alliances with pagan nations. These nations were often characterized by idolatry and practices that were abominable to the Lord. The Israelites were called to be a holy people, set apart for God's purposes. In Deuteronomy 7:2-4 , God commands the Israelites concerning the nations in the Promised Land: "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."

The narrative of King Solomon serves as a cautionary tale. Despite his wisdom, Solomon's alliances through marriage with foreign women led him to idolatry, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:1-4 : "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, 'You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.' Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away."

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently warned Israel and Judah about the dangers of alliances with foreign powers. 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." Such alliances were seen as a lack of trust in God's provision and protection.

New Testament Principles

In the New Testament, the principle of separation from ungodly influences is reiterated. The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 , instructs believers: "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? What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.' Therefore, 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.'"

Spiritual Implications

The prohibition against alliances with the enemies of God underscores the importance of spiritual purity and fidelity to God. Such alliances can lead to compromise, idolatry, and a turning away from God's commandments. The biblical narrative consistently portrays these alliances as detrimental to the spiritual health and mission of God's people. The call to holiness and separation is a call to remain faithful to God and His covenant, avoiding the spiritual pitfalls that come with aligning oneself with those who oppose His ways.Exodus 23:32
You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 34:12
Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you go, lest it be for a snare in the middle of you:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 7:2,3
And when the LORD your God shall deliver them before you; you shall smite them, and utterly destroy them; you shall make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 13:6,8
If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, which is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which you have not known, you, nor your fathers;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 23:6,7
Be you therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
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Judges 2:2
And you shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; you shall throw down their altars: but you have not obeyed my voice: why have you done this?
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 1:10,15
My son, if sinners entice you, consent you not.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Covenanting a Duty.
... men, as worthy members of civil society, the servants ... the nature of the statute
forbidding alliance with the ... treaties, of whatever kind with the enemies of God ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

The Conflict with Evil
... stand for the despotic Roman Empire, are in close alliance. ... But I say unto you, Love
your enemies, and pray ... and directors of the wealth of society; but their ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter x the conflict with.htm

The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... fowls are amorous, always seeking each other's society. ... widowhood, in remembrance
of her first alliance. ... When enemies were advancing by subterranean passages ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily viii the creation of.htm

Massillon -- the Small Number of the Elect
... the ordinances, and broken the alliance which should ... Repasts"those innocent ties
of society"degenerate into ... which God afflicts you, the enemies He raised ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/massillon the small number.htm

False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ...
... you, even weeping, that they are the enemies of the ... that no polygamist could hold
office in their society. ... The apostles had condemned such an alliance, [323:4 ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii false brethren and.htm

Conclusion.
... to last to which the Protestant Alliance could take ... of a socialist agitator, and
the whole of society and the ... ceased to be martyrs they martyred their enemies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter x conclusion.htm

Progress of Calvinism
... believing as he did that it was a society complete in ... towards the Catholic side and
toward an alliance with Spain ... him safely from the midst of his enemies (1567 ...
/.../chapter iii progress of calvinism.htm

Covenant Duties.
... her interests, are the strongest that society can put ... denunciations and warnings
addressed to his enemies; he urges ... civil power; that seek the alliance of any ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Criticism of the Westminster System of Doctrine.
... B. Underhill for the Hansard Knollys Society, London, 1846 ... thing to lose from the
existing alliance of government ... them as idolaters and as enemies of freedom. ...
/.../ 97 criticism of the.htm

Justinian.
... the bearer of Peter's keys"still the Rock on which the City of God rested? ... the Three
Chapters, and any fresh step on the subject, should be forbidden, and in ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter iv justinian.htm

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