Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5205 alliance The coalition of two or more parties in order to achieve a particular aim. Political alliances might be formalised in a treaty or sealed by marriage. Human rebellion against God is demonstrated in hostile alliances against his people culminating in the rejection of Christ and the final gathering and overthrow of the nations outside Jerusalem. Because God's people are to depend on him alone, unholy alliances are condemned; however God does work in partnership with human allies and encourages his people to work together. Political alliances General examples Genesis 14:1-3,13; 1 Samuel 27:2 Alliances formalised in a treaty Genesis 21:27; Genesis 26:31; 1 Kings 5:12; Kings 15:19 pp 2 Chronicles 16:3 Alliances sealed by marriage 1 Kings 3:1; 2 Chronicles 18:1; Daniel 11:6,17 Alliances against God and his people Surrounding nations against God's people Psalm 83:5-8 See also Joshua 10:5-6; Joshua 11:4-5; 2 Chronicles 20:1; Isaiah 7:1-2; Nehemiah 4:8 The nations against Jesus Christ Acts 4:25-27 See also Psalm 2:1-2 The nations against Jerusalem Zechariah 14:2; Revelation 20:8-9 The wicked against the righteous Psalm 31:13 See also Psalm 56:6; Psalm 59:3; Psalm 71:10 The rich and powerful against the weak Micah 7:3 See also Psalm 94:20-21 God is greater than human alliances Psalm 48:4-5; Nahum 1:12 See also 2 Chronicles 20:22; Isaiah 7:4; Ezekiel 30:6; Ezekiel 31:17; Ob 7; Nahum 3:8-10 Unholy alliances condemned by God God's people forbidden to ally with the unrighteous Exodus 34:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 See also Deuteronomy 23:6; Joshua 9:7; Joshua 23:12 Examples of alliances condemned by God 2 Kings 16:7 pp 2 Chronicles 28:16 Ahaz's proposed alliance with Assyria; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah of Israel Judah's alliance with Egypt: Isaiah 30:1; Isaiah 31:1 Hosea 12:1 Israel's vacillation between Egypt and Assyria The futility of trust in human allies Isaiah 31:3 See also Jeremiah 13:21; Jeremiah 22:20-21; Lamentations 1:19 God works with human allies God uses Cyrus to deliver Israel Isaiah 48:14 See also Isaiah 13:4; Isaiah 41:2; Jeremiah 50:9; Jeremiah 51:20-23 Fellow-workers with God 2 Corinthians 6:1 See also 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 5:20 Believers allied in God's service Working together Ezra 5:2; Nehemiah 4:6; 1 Corinthians 15:10 Paul's fellow-workers Philippians 4:3 See also Romans 16:3,21; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25; Phm 24 See also
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