Topical Bible: The Heathen: Danger of Intercourse With

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The term "heathen" in biblical context often refers to nations or individuals who do not worship the God of Israel and are outside the covenant community. The Bible provides numerous warnings about the dangers of engaging in close relationships or alliances with heathen nations, emphasizing the spiritual and moral risks involved.

Old Testament Warnings

The Old Testament is replete with admonitions against forming alliances with heathen nations. In Deuteronomy 7:3-4, the Israelites are explicitly instructed not to intermarry with them: "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 children 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 command underscores the danger of being led astray from the worship of Yahweh through intimate associations with those who serve other gods.

The narrative of Solomon serves as a cautionary tale. Despite his wisdom, Solomon's marriages to foreign women led him to idolatry, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:1-4: "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women... They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, 'You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.' Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love... and his wives turned his heart after other gods."

Prophetic Admonitions

The prophets also warned against alliances with heathen nations. Isaiah 31:1 cautions, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the abundance of chariots and in the multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD." This warning highlights the futility and spiritual peril of seeking security in alliances with pagan nations rather than trusting in God.

Jeremiah 10:2 further advises, "This is what the LORD says: 'Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.'" The prophet emphasizes the importance of remaining distinct and not adopting the practices or beliefs of the heathen.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the principle of separation from unbelievers is reiterated. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 instructs believers, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?... Therefore, 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.'"

The apostle Paul warns against the corrupting influence of heathen practices and beliefs, urging believers to maintain their distinctiveness and purity in Christ. Ephesians 5:11 advises, "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."

Historical Context and Application

Throughout Israel's history, the dangers of intercourse with heathen nations were not merely theoretical but had tangible consequences. The repeated cycles of idolatry and apostasy in Israel's history often began with alliances and intermarriages with surrounding nations. These relationships led to the introduction of foreign gods and practices, resulting in divine judgment and national calamity.

For contemporary believers, these biblical warnings serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining spiritual integrity and avoiding influences that could lead one away from faithfulness to God. The call to be "in the world but not of the world" (John 17:14-16) remains a guiding principle for navigating relationships with those outside the faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 106:35
But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ...
... Of the existence of such intercourse with Jewish Christians there is ... Pes.110 a, b).
To avoid the danger of two ... of contact with Parsee or other heathen elements ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvi on the jewish.htm

Trial Mission of the Apostles in Galilee. (Luke, ix. ; Matt. , X. ...
... There was no danger, however, that the disciples would so ... they had seen of his personal
intercourse with that ... infer that the exclusion of the heathen must not ...
/.../section 174 trial mission of.htm

Trials to be Met.
... inclosures to prevent their children from having intercourse with the ... be remarked,
that children trained up on heathen shores are in danger of contracting ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter viii trials to be.htm

Letter xiii. Christian Activity.
... of religion, when they meet for social intercourse, to spend ... land of gospel light
who live like the heathen. ... to warn impenitent sinners of their danger, and to ...
/.../letter xiii christian activity.htm

False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ...
... Every disciple who married a heathen was cut off ... it was said, but discomfort and
danger could be ... of religion, could not permanently hold cordial intercourse. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii false brethren and.htm

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic ...
... On this the heathen would be silenced out of the mouth of their own witnesses ... In
a passage [2551] which describes the great danger of intercourse with Jewish ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the sermon on.htm

In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ...
... not to do anything which might aid the heathen in their ... Jewish faith should be thrown
into actual danger, and, if ... No intercourse of any kind was to be had with ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vii in palestine -.htm

A Model of Intercession
... and fit us to do any work or face any danger? ... how in all the intercourse of ministers
and people ... continually of the thousand millions of heathen and Mohammedans ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter iii a model of.htm

The Earth Brings Forth, as if by Suppuration...
... The usual time of danger is the summer season ... also beforehand a protecting draught;
but sexual intercourse drains it ... aid in this way even the heathen, seeing we ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter i the earth brings.htm

Reformation
... Another result of intercourse with idolaters was a disregard of ... transgressed and
joined with the heathen in their ... turned his attention to the danger that again ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 57 reformation.htm