Exodus 23:32
“You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.”
What does Exodus 23:32 mean?
God is warning the Israelites not to make binding agreements with the pagan nations already living in Canaan. These covenants weren't just political treaties, they were spiritual commitments that could pull God's people away from their identity and their relationship with him. The deeper concern here is that agreements with other nations often came with obligations to respect or honor their gods, which would compromise the exclusive relationship God wanted with Israel. It's less about being unfriendly and more about protection, the way a parent might caution their child against influences that could fundamentally change who they are.