Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, forming alliances or maintaining societal relationships with the enemies of God is consistently portrayed as an act that provokes divine anger. This theme is recurrent throughout the Scriptures, where the people of God are warned against compromising their faith and obedience through associations with those who oppose God's will and commandments.Old Testament Examples 1. Israel's Alliances with Pagan Nations: The Israelites were repeatedly cautioned against forming alliances with surrounding pagan nations. In Deuteronomy 7:2-4 , God commands Israel, "And when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following Me to serve other gods, and the anger of the LORD will burn against you and will swiftly destroy you." 2. King Solomon's Downfall: Solomon's alliances through marriage with foreign women led him to idolatry, provoking God's anger. 1 Kings 11:9-10 states, "Now the LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command." 3. Jehoshaphat's Alliance with Ahab: King Jehoshaphat of Judah allied himself with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, through marriage and military cooperation. This alliance was rebuked by the prophet Jehu in 2 Chronicles 19:2 : "Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, 'Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.'" New Testament Principles 1. Separation from Unbelievers: The New Testament continues this theme by urging believers to maintain spiritual purity and separation from those who oppose God. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 , 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? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?" 2. Friendship with the World: James 4:4 warns against friendship with the world, equating it with enmity against God: "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God." Theological Implications The biblical injunctions against alliances with the enemies of God underscore the importance of holiness and fidelity to God's covenant. Such alliances are seen as acts of spiritual adultery, leading to idolatry and moral compromise. The anger of God, as depicted in these narratives, serves as a divine response to the betrayal of His covenant and the pollution of His people through ungodly associations. Practical Applications For believers, these biblical accounts serve as a cautionary tale against forming partnerships or engaging in practices that compromise their faith and witness. The call to be "set apart" (1 Peter 2:9) remains a central tenet, urging Christians to live in a manner that reflects their allegiance to God alone, avoiding entanglements that could lead them away from His purposes and provoke His righteous anger. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 7:4For they will turn away your son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy you suddenly. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 31:16,17 2 Chronicles 19:2 Ezra 9:13,14 Psalm 106:29,40 Isaiah 2:6 Library Chaldaean Civilization part ii Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Resources What is the Southern Baptist Convention, and what do Southern Baptists believe? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about Christianity (All) | GotQuestions.org What is the National Council of Churches? | 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) |