Alliance

The coalition of two or more parties in order to achieve a particular aim. Political alliances might be formalised in a treaty or sealed by marriage. Human rebellion against God is demonstrated in hostile alliances against his people culminating in the rejection of Christ and the final gathering and overthrow of the nations outside Jerusalem. Because God's people are to depend on him alone, unholy alliances are condemned; however God does work in partnership with human allies and encourages his people to work together.

Political alliances

Alliances against God and his people

Surrounding nations against God's people

Psalm 83:5–8 See also Joshua 10:5–6, Joshua 11:4–5; 2 Chronicles 20:1; Isaiah 7:1–2; Nehemiah 4:8

For with one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against You— the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah

The nations against Jesus Christ

Acts 4:25–27 See also Psalm 2:1–2

You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’ In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.

The nations against Jerusalem

Zechariah 14:2; Revelation 20:8–9

The wicked against the righteous

Psalm 31:13 See also Psalm 56:6, Psalm 59:3, Psalm 71:10

For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

The rich and powerful against the weak

Micah 7:3 See also Psalm 94:20–21

Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

God is greater than human alliances

Psalm 48:4–5; Nahum 1:12 See also 2 Chronicles 20:22; Isaiah 7:4; Ezekiel 30:6, Ezekiel 31:17; Obadiah 1:7; Nahum 3:8–10

For behold, the kings assembled; they all advanced together. They saw and were astounded; they fled in terror.

This is what the LORD says: “Though they are allied and numerous, yet they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, O Judah, I will afflict you no longer.

Unholy alliances condemned by God

God's people forbidden to ally with the unrighteous

Exodus 34:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14–16 See also Deuteronomy 23:6; Joshua 9:7, Joshua 23:12

Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst.

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? What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

Examples of alliances condemned by God

2 Kings 16:7 parallel 2 Chronicles 28:16 Ahaz's proposed alliance with Assyria; 2 Chronicles 20:35–37 Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah of Israel; Isaiah 30:1, Isaiah 31:1; Hosea 12:1 Israel's vacillation between Egypt and Assyria

The futility of trust in human allies

Isaiah 31:3 See also Jeremiah 13:21, Jeremiah 22:20–21; Lamentations 1:19

But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.

God works with human allies

God uses Cyrus to deliver Israel

Isaiah 48:14 See also Isaiah 13:4, Isaiah 41:2; Jeremiah 50:9, Jeremiah 51:20–23

Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The LORD’s chosen ally will carry out His desire against Babylon, and His arm will be against the Chaldeans.

Fellow-workers with God

2 Corinthians 6:1 See also 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 5:20

As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

Believers allied in God's service

Working together

Ezra 5:2; Nehemiah 4:6; 1 Corinthians 15:10

Paul's fellow-workers

Philippians 4:3 See also Romans 16:3, Romans 16:21; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25; Philemon 1:24

Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have contended at my side for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.