In the biblical narrative, the concept of forming alliances or maintaining social relations with the enemies of God is a recurring theme that often leads to spiritual and moral compromise. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and warnings against such associations, emphasizing the grief and challenges faced by the faithful when they encounter these situations.

Biblical Warnings and Examples

The Bible consistently warns against forming alliances with those who oppose God. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were repeatedly instructed to remain separate from the pagan nations surrounding them. In Deuteronomy 7:2-4 , God commands, "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."

The account of King Solomon serves as a poignant example of the consequences of ignoring this divine command. Despite his wisdom, Solomon's alliances through marriage with foreign women led him to idolatry, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:1-4 : "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. They were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, 'You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.' Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away."

The Grief of the Saints

The faithful throughout Scripture express grief and distress when confronted with the influence of God's enemies. The psalmist laments in Psalm 120:5-6 , "Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I dwelt among those who hate peace." This expression of sorrow highlights the inner turmoil experienced by those who strive to remain faithful amidst ungodly influences.

The prophet Jeremiah also articulates the anguish of associating with those who oppose God. In Jeremiah 9:2 , he cries out, "Oh, that I had in the desert a travelers’ lodge, that I might leave my people and go away from them! For they are all adulterers, a crowd of unfaithful people." Jeremiah's lament underscores the deep sorrow and frustration of living among those who reject God's ways.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to be cautious in their associations. The Apostle Paul warns in 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 , "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?"

Paul's exhortation reflects the ongoing struggle for Christians to maintain their distinctiveness in a world that often stands in opposition to God's principles. The grief of the saints is not only a personal struggle but also a communal one, as the church seeks to uphold its witness in a fallen world.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently portrays alliances and social relations with the enemies of God as a source of grief and spiritual peril for the faithful. Through the examples of Israel, Solomon, and the teachings of the New Testament, believers are reminded of the importance of maintaining their distinctiveness and allegiance to God, even amidst the challenges of living in a world that often opposes His ways.Psalm 57:4
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 120:5,6
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Peter 2:7,8
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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part ii
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//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

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