What kind of enemies was Israel promised deliverance from in Luke 1:74?
Israel was promised deliverance from mortal, physical, and next-door enemies—actual human adversaries, not merely spiritual opposition. This deliverance is described as the physical, literal, political aspect of the kingdom, granting peace and safety to the Jewish people as they serve God without fear.
Les teaches that Luke 1:74 promises God would grant Israel deliverance out of the hand of their enemies, specifically "mortal enemies, physical enemies, next door enemies." The purpose was that Israel might serve the God of Abraham without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of their life. Les explains this as the physical, literal, political aspect of the kingdom—granting peace and safety to the Jewish people. But he also notes the spiritual side: verse 77 speaks of giving knowledge of salvation, and Jesus told Nicodemus that unless a man is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom. The physical and spiritual must come together. John the Baptist is presented as the forerunner of the highest, the Christ, who would go before the face of the Lord to prepare His way.
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,