Marriage and Other Alliances with Unbelievers - Day 204 Through the Bible

On My Hike to Crabtree Falls near Mt. Celo Church

My Lessons, Applications and Meditations on Today's Readings

Why God Forbids Marriage With Pagans - Ezra 9 and 10 - The constant warning of God throughout our OT readings has been to not intermarry with the pagans of the land because the unholy alliance would take believers and their children away from God to serve the idols of the unbelievers.  The remnant has done just this while re-building the temple - including the priests and the Levites as well as the people.  They have not "separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with respect to the abominations..."so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of the lands.  Indeed the hands of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass."  Ezra knows this was the cause of the original destruction and dispersion of the Holy Nation.  The prophet tears his clothes, plucks out some of the hair of his head and beard, sits down astonished, then begins to gather the people, fast and pray before God in their presence.  He confesses, repents, pleads for God's mercy and grace for the remnant despite their unworthiness.  He recalls God's command to the people, that there is no excuse, 'And now, O God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments to the prophets..."The land which you are entering is an unclean land and people with their unclean abominations...filled with impurities...do not intermarry with them...never seek their peace or prosperity THAT...you may be strong...and eat the good of the land...and leave it as an inheritance to your children forever."' A proclamation is sent out with three-days notice to come before the prophet and chosen heads of households to "confess, do His will, separate themselves from the people of the land and the pagan wives." This cleansing begins with the priests and Levites.

My Lessons and Applications:  Here we are again.  Over and over the kings have been brought down by marriages with pagans that led to idol worship in the land and a turning away from God.  Of course, the NT gives this same command to believers, and blankets it to cover all relationships. (2 Corinthians 6: 14-18) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said, “I will dwell in them
, and walk among them.
 I will be their God,
 and they shall be My people.”[c] Therefore, “Come out from among them, 
and be separate, says the Lord. 
Do not touch what is unclean,
 and I will receive you.”[d] “I will be a Father to you, 
and you shall be My sons and daughters,
 says the Lord Almighty.”[e]

c) 2 Corinthians 6:16 Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27

d) 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34, 41

e) 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14

Do we caution and teach our children this?  Is our example this?  What have been the consequences of marriage, business, friendship with unbelievers on the believer, in the business, on the children, in the church, in the community, in the nation?  Do we search beyond the surface profession of faith in God for the evidence of genuine possession of that faith as the pattern of life?  

Underlying Motives Behind Actions and Words -  Acts 24 - Paul is in Rome before Felix, the governor, and his accusers - including the high priest and Tertullus, the orator.  Untruths are spoken in this court of law also...accusing Paul of profaning the temple, of the commander Lysias protecting Paul "with great violence" when it was the Jews perpetrating violence on Paul without a trial.  Paul defends himself, admits that he is a follower of the Way, still a Jew, "still a believer in all the Law and in the Prophets, and in the resurrections of the dead - both of the just and the unjust, striving to have a conscience without offense toward God and men."  Felix continues calling Paul back for questioning for two years with a pretense of learning more about his beliefs of "righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come", but the real motives are revealed.  Felix is afraid, the time is not convenient for him, and "he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him."  Then a new governor succeeds this governor, "and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound." 

My Lessons and Applications - God's motives forbidding marriage with pagans are protections of His holiness and His people through the generations.  The kings often married pagans for material possessions, lust, or protection against other nations, but the pagan alliances brought idol worship into the land and caused the eventual downfall of the nation.  Felix's motives were fear, monetary gain through bribes, and a desire to please the Jews - not follow the law he was to represent.  What about my motives in marriage, in business alliances, in friendship, in church?  Do I strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men?  Am I putting my desire to not offend men before my desire to not offend God?  

Reflections on Ezra's Life: What a shame that so few believers have such a holy jealousy for God as Ezra...standing upright and firm on the Rock of Ages, upheld by the Lord alone...We are to use everything at our disposal, but our error seldom lies in neglecting to use whatever means we have but far more frequently in foolishly believing in our means rather than believing in God.  Few of us err in neglecting to use the help of others, but many of us sin in making too much of it.  

Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening