In the biblical narrative, alliances and associations with the enemies of God are consistently portrayed as perilous and contrary to divine instruction. Such alliances often lead to spiritual compromise, idolatry, and ultimately, divine judgment. The Scriptures provide numerous examples where the people of God are warned against forming alliances with those who oppose Him, and where saints are involved in the execution of divine punishment upon these enemies.

Old Testament Examples

1. Israel's Prohibition Against Alliances: The Israelites were repeatedly instructed to avoid alliances with pagan nations. In Deuteronomy 7:2-4, God commands Israel to make no covenant with the inhabitants of the Promised Land, warning that such alliances would lead to idolatry: "You must not intermarry with them, for they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods."

2. King Jehoshaphat's Alliance with Ahab: In 2 Chronicles 18, King Jehoshaphat of Judah forms an alliance with King Ahab of Israel, an infamous idolater. This alliance nearly leads to disaster for Jehoshaphat, and he is rebuked by the prophet Jehu: "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you" (2 Chronicles 19:2).

3. The Gibeonite Deception: In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites deceive Israel into making a covenant with them. Although the Israelites are bound by their oath, this alliance brings complications and requires Israel to defend the Gibeonites against other Canaanite kings, illustrating the burdens of unwise alliances.

New Testament Principles

1. Separation from Unbelievers: The New Testament echoes the call for separation from those who oppose God. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, Paul admonishes believers: "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?"

2. Involvement in Divine Judgment: The New Testament also speaks of the saints' involvement in divine judgment. In 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, Paul reminds the Corinthians that the saints will judge the world and even angels, indicating a future role in executing God's justice: "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?"

Theological Implications

The biblical injunctions against alliances with the enemies of God underscore the importance of holiness and purity among God's people. Such alliances often lead to moral and spiritual compromise, drawing believers away from their covenantal obligations to God. The involvement of saints in divine judgment serves as a reminder of the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness and the role of His people in upholding His justice.

Throughout Scripture, the call to avoid alliances with the enemies of God is clear, serving as a warning to maintain fidelity to Him and to resist the temptations of worldly compromise. The saints' participation in divine judgment further emphasizes the seriousness with which God views these alliances and the ultimate accountability of all before His throne.Numbers 16:26
And he spoke to the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest you be consumed in all their sins.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the middle of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD's vengeance; he will render to her a recompense.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Covenanting a Duty.
... the nature of the statute forbidding alliance with the ... hostile to his government,
and thus act as his enemies. ... when the objects of such a society are attended ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

The Theology of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
... Thus both elements were perfect of their kind, and therefore as ... it involved a certain
separation from God, but also ... that He was inferior to His saints in being ...
/.../chapter ii the theology of st.htm

The Age of Absolutism and Unbelief
... The Jansenist party and the enemies of the Holy See ... Owing to his public alliance
with the sect he ... named Varlet, belonging formerly to the Society for Foreign ...
/.../chapter vii the age of.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... A characteristic feature of Roman society, which affected the ... I call God of heaven
and earth to witness ... to win over the Donatists and their alliance with fierce ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... Heathenism lingered as a force in society longer in the ... toward theurgy and magic,
and an alliance with polytheism ... passages in his works, eg, City of God, XV, 1 ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

Justinian.
... up her intrigues, and she strove to involve in her ... before the emperor the judgment
of God, saying there ... siege, the basilicas of Rome's patron saints, which lay ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter iv justinian.htm

The Counter-Reformation
... orders, especially the establishment of the Society of Jesus ... urged against his conduct
even by his worst enemies. ... the Catholic leaders and the alliance of Henry ...
/.../chapter iv the counter-reformation.htm

The General Conference of 1828
... rejoice, and be cordially happy in their society and fellowship. ... of the infidel and
the reproach of common enemies? ... of state into a nearer alliance with each ...
/.../chapter 9 the general conference.htm

The First Epistle of St. Peter
... nous honnorer de cette doulce alliance paternelle, it ... are to maintain the moral order
of society. ... on the attitude of Christians towards their enemies in the ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the first epistle of st.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... which it represented, secured in one alliance all the ... the tribe or people upon its
enemies, becomes a ... she laid the foundation of the future European society. ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

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