Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, alliances and associations with the enemies of God are consistently portrayed as detrimental to the spiritual and moral integrity of God's people. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and warnings against forming such alliances, emphasizing the potential for spiritual compromise and degradation.Old Testament Examples One of the earliest examples is found in the account of the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan. God commanded them to drive out the inhabitants of the land to avoid being led astray by their idolatrous practices. In Judges 2:2-3 , the Lord admonishes Israel, saying, "But you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? So now I say, I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you." This passage highlights the consequences of failing to separate from those who oppose God's ways. King Solomon's alliances through marriage with foreign women serve as another cautionary tale. Despite his wisdom, Solomon's heart was turned away from God due to his associations with those who worshiped other gods. 1 Kings 11:4 states, "For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been." This illustrates how alliances with those who do not share a commitment to God can lead to spiritual decline. Prophetic Warnings The prophets frequently warned against forming alliances with pagan nations. 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 great strength of horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the LORD." This warning underscores the futility and danger of seeking security and strength from those who do not honor God. Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah cautioned against alliances with Egypt, urging reliance on God instead. In Jeremiah 2:18 , the prophet asks, "Now what will you gain by traveling along the road to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile?" This rhetorical question points to the spiritual emptiness and degradation that result from such alliances. New Testament Principles The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to maintain spiritual purity and avoid partnerships with those who oppose God's truth. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 , 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?" This passage reinforces the principle that alliances with those who reject God can lead to moral and spiritual compromise. Spiritual Implications The biblical admonition against alliances with the enemies of God is rooted in the understanding that such associations can lead to a gradual erosion of faith and values. The influence of those who do not honor God can subtly, yet powerfully, lead believers away from their commitment to Him. The Scriptures consistently call for a separation from those who would lead God's people into idolatry, immorality, or spiritual complacency. In summary, the Bible presents a clear and consistent message: alliances and society with the enemies of God are degrading. They pose a significant threat to the spiritual health and faithfulness of God's people, urging believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to the Lord and to seek His guidance and strength above all else. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 1:23Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loves gifts, and follows after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Reign of David. Wagner -- I am a Voice The Counter-Reformation Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of ... The First Epistle of St. Peter Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ... A Traveler's Note-Book Resources What is the World Evangelical Alliance? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church? | GotQuestions.org Who was A.W. Tozer? | 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) |