Isaiah 9:18-21

¹⁸ Because wickedness burned like fire; it consumed brier and thorn. And it kindled the thickets of the forest, and they swirled upward, making a column of smoke. ¹⁹ The land was burned because of the wrath of Yahveh of armies, and the people became like fire fuel. A man does not have compassion toward his brother. ²⁰ They ate to the right but were still hungry and ate to the left but they were not satisfied. Each one devoured the flesh of his arm, ²¹ Manasseh Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they attacked Judah. In all of this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still stretched out.

cannibals in the ranks

Some of the destruction that was to come upon the holy land – predicted by Isaiah – was self destruction. He predicted that the people would turn on each other, and devour each other. The compassion expected of one brother to another was lost. Already, Israel had split from Judah. Now, Isaiah said it was going to be like a person who is so hungry he takes a bite out of his own arm.

Churches experience this kind of cannibalism in the ranks as well. Conflicts and differing opinions about purpose and programs often get out of hand, and we turn on each other. Such a thing is a sign of spiritual sickness. It is not normal. If we find ourselves doing that, we need to repent, and get help.

LORD, forgive us for devouring each other. Teach us how to love and care for each other as your people. Then, maybe the lost will believe us when we say that you are love.