Topical Bible: Idolatry: Saints should not Intermarry With Those Who Practise

◄ Idolatry: Saints should not Intermarry With Those Who Practise ►

Topical Encyclopedia

Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme in the Bible, consistently condemned as a grievous sin against the one true God. The practice of idolatry is not only a violation of the First Commandment but also a spiritual snare that can lead believers away from their faith. One significant aspect of this issue is the prohibition against intermarrying with those who practice idolatry, a commandment given to protect the spiritual integrity of God's people.

Biblical Prohibition Against Intermarriage with Idolaters

The Old Testament provides clear instructions regarding the dangers of intermarriage with idolaters. In Deuteronomy 7:3-4 , God commands the Israelites, "Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you." This directive underscores the risk of being led astray from worshiping the true God through intimate associations with those who serve other deities.

The narrative of Solomon serves as a cautionary tale. Despite his wisdom, Solomon's marriages to foreign women who worshiped other gods led him into idolatry, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:4 : "For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God as his father David had been." This passage illustrates the spiritual peril of forming close bonds with idolaters, even for those who are otherwise strong in their faith.

New Testament Perspective

The New Testament continues to uphold the principle of spiritual separation from idolatry. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 , the Apostle Paul advises believers, "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?" This passage emphasizes the incompatibility of a believer's life with that of an idolater, urging Christians to maintain spiritual purity and avoid alliances that could compromise their faith.

Spiritual Implications

The prohibition against intermarriage with idolaters is rooted in the concern for spiritual fidelity and the preservation of a community devoted to God. Idolatry is not merely a cultural or religious difference; it represents a fundamental opposition to the worship of the one true God. By avoiding intermarriage with those who practice idolatry, believers protect themselves from the influence of false worship and ensure that their devotion remains undivided.

Throughout Scripture, the call to separate from idolatry is a call to holiness and faithfulness. The warnings against intermarriage with idolaters serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a pure and devoted relationship with God, free from the entanglements of false beliefs and practices.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 34:16
And you take of their daughters to your sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make your sons go a whoring after their gods.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 7:3
Neither shall you make marriages with them; your daughter you shall not give to his son, nor his daughter shall you take to your son.
Torrey's Topical Textbook