Dictionary of Bible Themes 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. Genesis 14:1-3,13Political alliances 1 Samuel 27:2General examples Genesis 21:27; 26:311 Kings 5:12; 15:19 Alliances formalised in a treaty 1 Kings 3:1pp 2Ch 16:3 2 Chronicles 18:1Alliances sealed by marriage Daniel 11:6,17Psalms 83:5-8 Alliances against God and his people See also Surrounding nations against God's people Joshua 10:5-6; 11:4-52 Chronicles 20:1 Isaiah 7:1-2 Nehemiah 4:8 Acts 4:25-27 See also The nations against Jesus Christ Psalms 2:1-2Zechariah 14:2 Revelation 20:8-9 The nations against Jerusalem Psalms 31:13See also The wicked against the righteous Psalms 56:6; 59:3; 71:10Micah 7:3 See also The rich and powerful against the weak Psalms 94:20-21Psalms 48:4-5 Nahum 1:12 God is greater than human alliances See also 2 Chronicles 20:22Isaiah 7:4 Ezekiel 30:6; 31:17 Obadiah 1:7 Nahum 3:8-10 Exodus 34:12 Unholy alliances condemned by God 2 Corinthians 6:14-16God's people forbidden to ally with the unrighteous See also Deuteronomy 23:6Joshua 9:7; 23:12 2 Kings 16:7 Examples of alliances condemned by God 2 Chronicles 20:35-37pp 2Ch 28:16 Ahaz's proposed alliance with Assyria Isaiah 30:1; 31:1Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah of Israel Hosea 12:1Judah's alliance with Egypt: Isaiah 31:3Israel's vacillation between Egypt and Assyria See also The futility of trust in human allies Jeremiah 13:21; 22:20-21Lamentations 1:19 Isaiah 48:14 God works with human allies See also God uses Cyrus to deliver Israel Isaiah 13:4; 41:2Jeremiah 50:9; 51:20-23 2 Corinthians 6:1 See also Fellow-workers with God 1 Corinthians 3:92 Corinthians 5:20 Ezra 5:2 Believers allied in God's service Nehemiah 4:6Working together 1 Corinthians 15:10Philippians 4:3 See also Paul's fellow-workers Romans 16:3,212 Corinthians 8:23 Philippians 2:25 Philemon 1:24 See also 1345 covenant5592 treaty 5708 marriage 5817 conspiracies 7030 unity 7921 fellowship |
    |