He also hired one hundred thousand mighty
men of valor from Israel for one hundred talents of silver.
But
a man of God came to him, saying, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go
with you, for the Lord is not with Israel – not with any of the children of
Ephraim. But if you go, be gone! Be strong in battle! Even so, God shall make
you fall before the enemy; for God has power to help and to overthrow.” (II Chronicles
25:6-8)
Don’t let our
fellow Israelites help us? Our brothers-in-arms? They’re our allies against
Edom. After the split between Judah and Israel, at least at times, there seemed
to be this notion that they were allies. Israel might have been doing evil, but
it was Israel, they were fellow descendants from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and
isn’t the enemy of my enemy my ally?
I see some of this same idea today.
If Group A, C, F and L all happen to agree with us about some subject, shouldn’t
we band together, act as allies? This is one of the supposed geniuses of the
political Left, bringing together diverse groups in order to achieve a greater goal,
thus unifying them in one vision that somehow includes all, or at least most.
It seems to me to be the antithesis of the traditional marriage ceremony. Instead
of “what God has joined, let no man put asunder,” it’s “What man hath joined
let no God or man put asunder.” It seems to me to be the World that Jesus
warned us against. The political Right does some of the same thing, but it
doesn’t tend to be as successful. I’m grateful for that.
Scripture teaches that we should not
be “unequally yoked.” We should not ally ourselves quickly with anyone –
especially if it is a matter of political expedience or convenience. I’m
reminded of a conversation I had with a friend. We had both taken an interest
in the idea of life coaching. He thought we should join forces. I told him, “no.”
He is an agnostic/atheist. I’m a Christian. What good could he possibly say about
my ideas to my clients? What good could I possibly say about his to his clients?
We both see the other as fundamentally flawed, and yet we’re supporting each
other’s practices? It’s one of those situations when I think someone needs to
rub their eyes and look again, because what they thought they say made no
sense.
This is the same warning I’ve read
and heard many times from Christians who have observed the political arena.
Christians should not ally themselves with politicians or political movements,
and Christians should not look for a political solution to problems and issues
in society. This is one of the ideas I’ve tried to get across to people, but I
don’t think I’ve stated it well or clearly, and even if I did, I don’t think
most of the people I’ve told have gotten it because it runs counter to everything
we’ve been taught for decades.
Just because they say they are our
friends, does not mean they truly are. If they do not act in accordance with
the full teaching of Scripture, it is better to keep our distance. There may be some who will point fingers at me with regard to Mr. Trump. I haven't allied with him. I voted for him. Those aren't the same things. I don't believe that he has the solutions to our problems. I only agree with the notion of getting the government out of the way so that the problems can be addressed. Somehow, it seems to me that allying oneself with someone doesn't involve saying, "Go away."
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