False Worship Breeds Violence

False worship is, in effect, the worship of demons.  ( 1 Corinthians 10:20) As demonstrated before the Flood, demon influence leads to violence.  (Genesis 6:11, 12)  It is no surprise, then, that when Israel turns apostate and begins worshiping the demons, violence and wickedness fill the land. -Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:35-38.

In vivid word pictures, Isaiah describes  the spread of wickedness and violence in Israel:  "Wickedness has become aflame just like a fire; thornbushes and weeds it will eat up.  And it will catch fire in the thickets of the forest, and they will be borne aloft as the billowing of smoke.  In the fury of Jehovah of armies the land has been set afire, and the people will become as food for the fire.  No one will show compassion even on his brother. And one will cut down on the right and will certainly not be satisfied.  They will each one eat the flesh of his own arm, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh.  Together they will be against Judah. In view of  this his anger has not turned back, but his hand is stretched out still." -Isaiah 9:18-20.

Like  a flame that spreads from thornbush to thornbush, violence races out of control and quickly reaches "the thickets of the forest," creating a full-blown forest fire of violence.  Bible commentators Keil and Delitzsch describe the level of violence  as being "the most inhuman  self-destruction during the anarchical civil war.  Destitute of any tender emotions, they devour one another without being satisfied."  Likely, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh are singled out here because they are  the main representatives of the northern kingdom and, as descendants of Joseph's  two sons, they are the most closely related of the ten tribes. Despite this, however, they interrupt their fratricidal violence only when they wage war against Judah to the south. -2 Chronicles 28:1-8.

Next time: Corrupt Judges Meet Their Judge

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000