“You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods.” – Deuteronomy 7:2-4 NKJV
It would have been ideal to enter a land with no conflicts or distractions. But God knew thereality. His people were about to enter the Promised Land, and He knew that it was filled withtemptations and opportunities for them to compromise. The rewards would be great, but they had to be prepared, or face defeat.
He warned them about the ways they could be led astray. They would have many opportunities to establish relationships with the people of the land. But they had to be careful. They had to realize how these relationships could influence them and draw them away from the Truth. They could start thinking wrong thoughts, and pursuing wrong goals.
The New Testament provides a similar warning, that we should avoid being “unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15). This does not mean that we should seek absolute isolation. In many practical ways, we all need to interact with people in the world. But there are dangers in being “yoked.” In being joined in heart and soul. These relationships can poison our minds and lead us away from the purity that God desires for us.
We always need to remember that if we have committed our lives to God, we have entered into a covenant relationship with Him. He has promised to provide for us, guide us, protect us, and bless us. But we must keep our part of the covenant. This means keeping His commandments, and never having any other gods before Him.
Today, ask God to help you evaluate your relationships. Make a commitment to serve Him, and seek first His Kingdom. And be careful about relationships with which you are yoked.
Today’s Inspiration Prayer
Father, I commit my life to You. Show me if there are relationships I should avoid. Give me Your discernment. I seek first Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 7
