Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the concept of forming alliances or maintaining social relations with the enemies of God is consistently portrayed as unbecoming and detrimental for those who are called to be saints. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and warnings against such associations, emphasizing the spiritual and moral dangers they pose.Old Testament Examples The Old Testament is replete with instances where the Israelites were explicitly warned against forming alliances with pagan nations. In Deuteronomy 7:2-4 , God commands the Israelites, "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." King Solomon's alliances through marriage with foreign women led 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. These women 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." Prophetic Warnings The prophets frequently admonished Israel for their alliances with foreign powers. Isaiah 31:1 warns, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the abundance of chariots and in the multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD." Similarly, Hosea 7:11 describes Ephraim as "a dove, easily deceived and senseless—now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria." These alliances were seen as acts of faithlessness, demonstrating a lack of trust in God's provision and protection. New Testament Teachings The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to maintain spiritual purity and separation from worldly influences. 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?" James 4:4 further admonishes, "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." Spiritual Implications The spiritual implications of forming alliances with the enemies of God are profound. Such associations can lead to a dilution of faith, moral compromise, and ultimately, a turning away from God. The call to holiness and separation is a recurring theme, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" Conclusion The biblical injunctions against alliances with the enemies of God serve as a timeless reminder for believers to remain steadfast in their faith, avoiding entanglements that could lead them away from their divine calling. The call to be set apart, to be holy, and to trust solely in God's provision is a central tenet for those who are called saints. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Chronicles 19:2And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Should you help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath on you from before the LORD. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 Philippians 2:15 Library Byzantine Empresses Theodora ii. , Theophano, Zoe, Theodora iii. part ii Resources What is the World Evangelical Alliance? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church? | GotQuestions.org Who was A.W. Tozer? | 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) |