Throughout the history of the Israelites, the Bible records numerous instances where they formed alliances or engaged in societal interactions with nations and peoples considered enemies of God. These alliances often led to spiritual and moral decline, as they frequently involved compromises with pagan practices and idolatry, contrary to the commands given by God.

Biblical Prohibitions and Warnings

The Israelites were explicitly warned against forming alliances with the surrounding nations. In Exodus 23:32-33 , God commands, "You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you." This directive was intended to preserve the spiritual purity and distinctiveness of the Israelites as God's chosen people.

Historical Instances of Alliances

1. Solomon's Alliances: King Solomon, despite his wisdom, formed numerous alliances through marriage with foreign women, which led him to idolatry. 1 Kings 11:1-4 states, "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women... from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, 'You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.' Yet Solomon clung to these women in love... and his wives turned his heart after other gods."

2. Ahab and Jezebel: King Ahab's marriage to Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, brought the worship of Baal into Israel. This alliance is condemned in 1 Kings 16:31-33 , where it is noted that Ahab "did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him."

3. Jehoshaphat and Ahab: King Jehoshaphat of Judah formed an alliance with Ahab, which led to military cooperation against common enemies. However, this alliance was criticized by the prophet Jehu in 2 Chronicles 19:2 : "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you."

Consequences of Alliances

The alliances with pagan nations often resulted in the Israelites adopting idolatrous practices, leading to divine judgment. The Book of Judges repeatedly illustrates this cycle of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Judges 2:12-14 highlights the consequences: "They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers... and followed various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the LORD to anger... so He handed them over to raiders who plundered them."

Prophetic Condemnation

The prophets frequently condemned alliances with foreign powers, emphasizing reliance on God rather than human strength. Isaiah 31:1 warns, "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."

Lessons for the Faithful

The biblical narrative underscores the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of compromising with those who oppose His ways. The Israelites' experiences serve as a cautionary tale, reminding believers of the need to remain separate from worldly influences that can lead them away from their covenant relationship with God.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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Israelites
... of the Israelitish territory was cleared of its enemies. ... Alliance with the neighbouring
kingdom of Phoenicia brought ... of the Royal Asiatic Society, July 1897. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

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

Herod and Peter.
... and rulers, there were not wanting enemies to the ... were, distinguished by their station
in society, or their ... The alliance between Church and State is conceived ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiv herod and peter.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... been engaged in repressing and punishing God's enemies"this had ... Judah; Josiah, bound
perhaps by an alliance to the ... raising us to the unseen society of Saints ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.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

Egypt
... Perhaps he sought to strengthen himself against his enemies in Egypt by an alliance
with his ... was affectionate to his family, fond of society, and, alone ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.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

General Index.
... condition of society in, after rejection of Christ, 28. ... Jewish church, alliance of,
with heathen, 382. ... persecution of, by enemies, 592, 607-610, 626, 627; by ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.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

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... not dare to shelter the vanquished enemies of his ... we have seen, Jehoshaphat, encouraged
by his alliance with the ... of the corresponding grades of society in Syria ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

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