The Bible provides numerous accounts and teachings regarding the consequences faced by those who harbor enmity against God's chosen people. Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates His protective nature over Israel and the Church, and He often intervenes to defend them against their adversaries. This entry explores the biblical narrative and theological implications of opposing God's people.

Old Testament Examples

1. Pharaoh and Egypt: One of the earliest and most dramatic examples of enmity against God's people is found in the account of the Exodus. Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites from bondage led to a series of devastating plagues upon Egypt. The culmination of these divine judgments was the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian household, as recorded in Exodus 12:29-30. This event underscores the severe consequences of opposing God's will for His people.

2. The Amalekites: The Amalekites' attack on the Israelites shortly after their exodus from Egypt resulted in a divine curse. In Exodus 17:14, the Lord declares, "I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." This pronouncement highlights the enduring consequences of hostility towards God's people, as the Amalekites faced eventual destruction.

3. Haman and the Persians: In the Book of Esther, Haman's plot to annihilate the Jews in the Persian Empire is thwarted by divine intervention. Esther 7:10 recounts Haman's downfall: "So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai." This reversal of fortune illustrates God's providential care and the peril of enmity against His people.

New Testament Teachings

1. Saul of Tarsus: Before his conversion, Saul (later Paul) was a fierce persecutor of the early Church. In Acts 9:4-5, Jesus confronts Saul on the road to Damascus, saying, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" This encounter reveals that enmity against the Church is tantamount to enmity against Christ Himself, leading to a radical transformation in Saul's life.

2. The Jewish Leaders: The New Testament also records the opposition of Jewish leaders to Jesus and His followers. In Matthew 23:37-38, Jesus laments over Jerusalem, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together... But you were unwilling." The destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 is often seen as a fulfillment of the consequences of rejecting God's messengers.

Theological Implications

1. Divine Justice: The Bible consistently portrays God as a just judge who defends His people. Psalm 105:14-15 states, "He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf: 'Do not touch My anointed ones; do no harm to My prophets.'" This passage affirms God's commitment to protecting His people and executing justice against their enemies.

2. Covenantal Protection: God's covenant with Israel and the Church includes promises of protection and blessing. Genesis 12:3 declares, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you," emphasizing the reciprocal nature of God's covenantal relationship with His people.

3. Eternal Consequences: The New Testament warns of eternal consequences for those who persist in opposing God's people. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus teaches that acts of kindness or hostility towards His followers are ultimately directed towards Him, with eternal implications for judgment or reward.

The biblical narrative and teachings on enmity against God's people serve as a sobering reminder of the serious consequences that accompany such opposition. Through divine intervention, justice, and covenantal promises, God remains steadfast in His defense of those He has called His own.