Unholy entanglement

For if after they had escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning  (2 Peter 2:20).

There are several instances in the bible where unholy entanglement has resulted into irreparable loss and caused untold devastation and pain. One of such cases is the story of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob. Dinah was not sent for but she went out of her own volition to see the daughters of the land (Genesis 34:1-2). In verse one, "Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she has borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land" She is possibly idle and lonely perhaps being the only girl and out of curiosity wanted to search out the land and see the ladies in the city. She was violated by Shechem but if she didn't go out of her father's house, I presume she would not have been raped. Her unholy passion to see the daughters of the land and probably relate with them caused her trouble. The bible is not joking when it instructed us to flee all appearances of evil because one event will lead to another and failure to take caution may spell a deadly doom. No one will violate her under her father's roof. If she had not displayed herself carelessly and casually, she would not have been molested. Hence, it is better to stay within the confines of the Holy God to be free from assaults from the evil ones. And as a child of God, when there is restriction and boundary, forces of darkness cannot gain undue access to harass. But if consciously or unconsciously a league or agreement exists, that will always permit an evil access. Besides, stepping out of boundary is the cause for evil yoking and entanglement. Bad still, Shechem and Hamor his father deceived the children of Israel into an unholy agreement, the father wanted their goods (Genesis 34:8-10, 23), the son desperately wanted the girl after he had defiled her (Genesis 34:2, 4, 11-12) and it was obvious that they never desire the God of the children of Israel, they did not want Him. Funny enough they were playing games with the sons of Jacob who had learnt subtlety from their father, for it was in their genes until God conquered him, converted and changed Him to Israel. Yet, greedy, selfish and dubious Hamor and Shechem his son betrayed the trust of their countrymen who regarded them as noble and honourable. They persuaded them to be circumcised and they concur to the terms of the sons of Jacob, but all that was for their own selfish end. 

Interestingly, two schemers with ulterior motives and selfish interests were entering into a bond though seeking a league that each one of them knew they were not really interested in. Hamor and Shechem his son were insincere in their dealings with the sons of Jacob, but unknown to them that the children of Israel had their own plan too because their fake consent was with an intent to completely destroy them (verses 15-17). The children of Israel devised circumcision as a trap for the people of Hamor, while Shechem and his father on the other hand wanted the children of Israel to fall as their prey. Thus, the children of Israel complicated the matter by agreeing to have relationship with the Hivites and get married to them. An evil bargain and consent due to self-centeredness eventually ended in tragic loss for the people of Hivites (verse 25) because the sons of Jacob plundered the city, took their animals and all their wealth in all their houses and fields. But the reverse was the case for the Hivites because they who wanted to plunder the children of Israel were plundered (Genesis 34:23, 27-29). So, what are you insinuating? If anyone should ask the sons of Jacob their reply mostly concerning the killings and ravaging of the land was premised on the fact that they hated how their sister was treated like a harlot, but she would not have been so treated if she did not go out (Genesis 34:31).

Another example is David, the king of Israel who was hooked with Bathsheba his servant's wife. His carelessness coupled with his negligence of duty unfortunately led to unwarranted death and destruction of his family members. He would not have been entangled with her if he had gone to the battle because that was the time when kings go out to battle (2 Samuel 11:1) but he sent Joab and his servants, and we may wonder what was the king doing at home when it was the time for him to be at the battle front. In 2 Samuel chapter 11 verse 2, Satan had already arranged an assignment for him since he would not go out to fight, he took that advantage to duly engage him, at least he must be busy doing something, but it was a hook to trap him. King David committed the evil of adultery with Bathsheba Uriah's wife and when the woman got pregnant, the king of Israel could not own up to his failure and sin but he sent for her husband, he actually wanted to manipulate him. But when Uriah didn't fall for his evil scheme (verses 6-11, 13), he killed him with the sword of the Philistines gullible though faithful unto death delivering his own death warrant (verses 14-15). David orchestrated the death of an innocent man because of his unholy bond with his wife. And we assuredly know that whenever there is evil entanglement, the enemy prevails (2 Samuel 11:18, 23-24). The news that David wanted to hear that Uriah has died was delivered (verses 24), he therefore felt undisturbed and now at liberty to take his wife to himself permanently but God was displeased by his evil acts (2 Samuel 11:27). How many of us are displeasing the Lord today by our acts and shrewd schemes to hide evil as a result of unholy union we engage in thinking God is blind to our ways and doings.

Consequently, Nathan came to David with a severe message from the Lord that he would pay for his evils (2 Samuel 12:1-15). Be careful of your wicked deeds because repercussion will surely come and it may be deadly. With his own mouth he declared his judgment before Nathan the prophet (2 Samuel 12:6), so, the baby born as a result of his adultery with Bathsheba died despite his pleadings, fasting and prayers (2 Samuel 12:18). One sin now leads to another breeding evil affection (urge) in his family, Amnon his son committed incest with his sister Tamar (one of David's daughters)  (2 Samuel 13:2-4, 8-15) at the counsel of his evil friend Jonadab who later became the interpreter of the doom of Amnon (2 Samuel 13:30-33). And in an attempt to retaliate owing to how her sister was humiliated, Absalom organized for Amnon's death, so Amnon died (2 Samuel 13:29), Absalom also died ( 2 Samuel 12:11, 2 Samuel 16:21, 18:9, 14-17) and Adonijah later died too (1King 2:13-25). But the highway of the upright is to depart from evil (Proverbs 16:17) because God has knowledge of all events, even the prevailing circumstances and He permits whatever happens (Job 12:9, 13-16). Job here in his response to his critics validated the truth that God sees and this underscores the reality of His omnipotence and omniscience. Paul, the Apostle in his epistle to the Romans also gave a charge to the Christians to abhor evil and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9). Shunning dubious association, ties and links that may lead to perdition henceforth becomes mandatory. In fact, it is not just an ordinary charge, but also a plea from a loving father who wants to instruct and guide His children (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12), though the wicked may despise, taunt and refuse it (Job 12:5).

Health, healing, life and all good things are children's bread. Jesus told the Syrophenician woman that children's bread cannot be given to dogs, but because she believed in Jesus and had faith in Him, she got what she wanted (Mark 7:24-30). And if I may ask do you believe in Jesus? Do you have faith in Him? Are you willing and ready to sever every tie and link between you and Satan or with his agents and wholly follow God? Do you want Jesus to be the controller, Lord and Master of your life? If your answer is yes, then be ready for His blessings, for He gives life and life more abundantly to His own (John 10:10). God's own antidote for life and health is quite simple and very easy: Fear the Lord, depart from evil and be not wise in your own eyes; these are precursor for health (in your flesh) and strength (to your bones) according to Solomon in Proverbs 3:7-8. Whenever God deals with the bond (attachments, relationship, union, entanglements) that connects His people to evil, there is always a lasting and permanent solution. It is in fact a glorious emancipation from the ruling force (the enemy). But before God's intervention for anyone to experience true liberty, evil covenant must be revoked and renounced. And as this occurs in the spiritual, it later become more evident in the physical. Therefore, every tie, link, cord, alliance, accord, allegiance and submission must be thoroughly broken, and all unholy entanglement must be untied in order to fully receive and enjoy all that God gives and offers those who seek Him. Freedom and blessings will never materialize until there is a deliberate desire to be untied (untangled) from any union with Satan and his agents. God fights justly and lawfully so He will not deliver or defend anyone who still wants to be in an evil tangle with Satan and his agents.

Do not position yourself for the wrath and the judgment of God but take a clue from the words of the wise woman who spoke with David that God devises means so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him (2 Samuel 14:14). And God has given out a call to warn and bring back all those who have strayed from Him (Zechariah 1:3-4, Zechariah 2:6a-7, Deuteronomy 18:10-14). Therefore, align yourself  quickly with God through His son Jesus Christ because it is only then that you can have real satisfaction. Jesus remains the only tie everyone needs to hook to for source of enrichment (1 Corinthians 1:5) and He alone is the choice of God to be the link between man and God (Romans 3:3). Remember that every promise with the an oath always has consequence. The children of Israel lamented that those who are not God has ruled and had dominion over them because of their evil entanglement (Isaiah 26:13, Proverbs 29:6a). And God has purposed to be a swift witness against every  activity and agent of darkness (Malachi 3:5). But there would be help when a person is disentangled, there will also be a change of garment/adornment which is always a suitable replacement from the almighty God (Zechariah 3:4b).