alliances

"Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, who was guilty of wickedness. He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber, Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, 'Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.' The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade."

2 Chronicles 20:35-37

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"But a man of God came to him and said, 'O king, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the LORD is not with Israel - not with any of the people of Ephraim. Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.'

Amaziah asked the man of God, 'But what about the hundred talents I paid for these Israelite troops?'

The man of God replied, 'The LORD can give you much more than that.'"

2 Chronicles 25:7-9

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"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial (satan)? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'Iwill live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.' Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the LORD. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

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It was just interesting noting how the reqirements of the Corinthian passage are exemplified in the Chronicles passages. The challenge for us is how to live this out as Christians in a predominantly non-Christian culture. It is tempting to say that it was probably easier for the Israelites who were supposed to be an entire people set apart. Yet by the time Corinthians was written that was certainly no longer the case. And so the challenge remains.....

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LORD, please give us the wisdom, the discernment, the strength, and the grace needed to live these things out today.