In the days of Nehemiah, after a great Feast of Tabernacles, the children of Israel faced significant challenges with intermarriage. Many had married outside their faith, often with partners who remained pagans, leading entire families to forsake God's way of life. This intermarriage resulted in a loss of Israelite culture, to the extent that half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, a Philistine city, and could not speak the language of Judah. Following the Feast, on the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month, the people assembled to fast and repent as a group. As part of their renewed commitment, those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners, dissolving their marriages with pagan mates, and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. This act of separation and repentance was a profound step toward recommitting to God's law under a new formal covenant, demonstrating their resolve to stop intermarrying with surrounding nations and to uphold His commands.

I must state clearly that dating and marrying outside the church is not recommended, as it presents a massive stumbling block and can lead to trouble in future years. The principle of not being unequally yoked with unbelievers applies strongly to marriage, where the closest of alliances is formed. Such unions are often incompatible due to differing beliefs and ways of life, making it nearly impossible for converted members of God's church to have the best of both worlds. Paul's instruction to the Corinthians, who were still tied to worldly influences, emphasizes the need to sever intimate ties with the world, including in personal relationships like marriage. He uses the imagery of an ox and a donkey yoked together, illustrating how mismatched temperaments and goals hinder progress. Similarly, a believer and an unbeliever in marriage cannot pull together effectively, as their fundamental differences create constant friction. Practical challenges arise in such unions, like observing the Sabbath, dietary laws, or raising children in faith, often leading to compromise or separation during sacred times. Even if an unconverted mate is moral, the inherent incompatibility of lifestyles can strain the relationship. Paul, in I Corinthians 7:15, permits divorce in cases where an unconverted mate disrupts the converted mate's worship, underscoring the importance of marital harmony for spiritual growth, with God's covenant taking precedence over the marriage covenant when conflict arises. Despite the church's scattered state and limited potential mates, the principle remains unchanged. God's laws and ways do not shift with circumstances, and taking matters into one's own hands, as seen in the example of Abraham and Sarah with Hagar, can lead to long-lasting strife. Patience and faith are urged, trusting that God will provide what is good in His time, including a suitable mate. If one encounters a potential partner outside the church, extreme caution is necessary. No compromise on God's way of life should be made, and the individual must be introduced to the church's beliefs through literature and observation of their response. Only if they show receptivity and progress toward conversion, culminating in baptism, should marriage be considered. This is rare, and dating outside the church is generally unwise. Throughout scripture, from Deuteronomy to Nehemiah, the directive is clear: do not intermarry with those outside the faith, as it risks turning one back to worldly pollution. The ideal is to marry someone comparable, sharing beliefs and experiences, as God intended with Adam and Eve. Christ, as our spiritual pattern, prepares a bride like Himself, and we should seek physical marriages that mirror this compatibility. Though the current scattered condition of the church may seem discouraging to singles, despair is unnecessary. God, who can accomplish the impossible, is capable of providing mates even in such circumstances. Trust in Him, wait patiently, and rely on His unchanging faithfulness to bring about what is needed.