“One day a man who had an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father came out of his tent and got into a fight with one of the Israelite men. During the fight, this son of an Israelite woman blasphemed the Name of the LORD with a curse.”

Leviticus 24:10–11 (NLT)

Today we see what can go wrong when a believer joins with an unbeliever. An Israelite woman married an Egyptian. Their son got into a fight and blasphemed the Name of the LORD and cursed. What was to be done? They brought the matter to Moses who sought the mind of the LORD.

Unfortunately, a believer is sometimes attracted to an unbeliever, but he or she does not think through the consequences. The apostle Paul warned the Corinthians:

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”

2 Corinthians 6:14 (NKJV)

Light cannot have communion (fellowship, oneness) with darkness. The clashing of two opposing world views produces constant conflict. The children of such a union do not have clear spiritual values and unified instruction in the home. A believing woman is at a statistical disadvantage because children tend to follow their dad’s example regarding spiritual matters.

In the case before us, the young man lost his temper and blasphemed God. The LORD said that he should be executed by the congregation for this irreverent act. While this seems brutal to us, God was establishing holy fear for His holy name in the nation of Israel.

This is a tragic example of the high cost of worldly compromise. Even if you think you’re strong enough to handle it, it may ruin your children. As children of light, we must shine into the darkness but not be joined with it.

If you are already married to an unbeliever, then keep praying for your spouse and seek to serve the Lord by being the best husband or wife you can be. Give God time to work in the heart of your spouse as they see your godly example. Don’t compromise your faith and values but resist the temptation to nag. God will give you the grace you need if you trust in Him. But if you are contemplating a serious relationship with an unbeliever, then think again. God warns us because He loves us and wants to protect us (and future generations) from harm. The one who waits upon the LORD will never be ashamed (Psalm 25:3).

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