“Every Man’s Sword Against His Brother” (Ezekiel 38:21)

Introduction

The Bible sometimes describes how God fights battles for His people, not by sending them to fight with swords, but by turning their enemies against each other. In Ezekiel 38:21 (NIV) God says:

“I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man’s sword will be against his brother.”

This means God causes confusion, mistrust, and division in the enemy’s camp until they destroy themselves. This strategy is seen throughout Scripture and carries deep theological lessons for us today.

1. God Uses Confusion as a Weapon

a) Gideon’s Victory

When Gideon’s small army faced a vast enemy, God caused panic and confusion.
Judges 7:22 (NIV):

“When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords.”

This shows that victory belongs to the Lord, not to human strength (cf. Zechariah 4:6). God fights for His people in ways that defy human logic.

b) Jehoshaphat’s Deliverance

As Judah worshiped, God caused the Ammonites, Moabites, and men of Mount Seir to destroy each other.

2 Chronicles 20:22–23 (NIV):
“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes… The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir… After they finished slaughtering them, they helped to destroy one another.”

Worship is not only a weapon against fear but also an invitation for God’s intervention (cf. Psalm 22:3). Where His people exalt Him, He fights their battles.

2. How God Causes Enemies to Turn on Each Other

1. Confusion of Mind
   God can strike enemies with mental disorder so they mistake allies for enemies.
   Deuteronomy 28:28 (NIV):
   “The Lord will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind.”
2. Division in Speech
   Disagreement breaks unity. At Babel, God confused their language (Genesis 11:7), and the project collapsed. Division weakens any force.
3. Suspicion and Revenge
   Mistrust leads to betrayal and violence. This was seen when Ammon and Moab turned on Seir and then on each other (2 Chronicles 20:23).

God is sovereign over the hearts of nations (Proverbs 21:1). When He decides to protect His people, He destabilizes their enemies from within.

3. New Testament Example: Paul Before the Council

When Paul was on trial, he noticed Pharisees and Sadducees disagreed on the resurrection. He wisely declared his hope in the resurrection, and immediately the council turned against itself.

Acts 23:6–7 (NIV):
“When Paul said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.”

The Spirit gave Paul wisdom (Luke 12:11–12). God can even use human divisions to protect His servants and advance His mission.

4. Satan Also Uses This Weapon

While God uses confusion to save His people, Satan uses it to destroy them when they step outside God’s will.

• Israel’s Civil War (Judges 19–21): Because the tribe of Benjamin defended sin, Israel was divided, and thousands died.
• The Church Today: When love and holiness are lost, believers fight one another instead of resisting the true enemy.

Galatians 5:14–15 (NIV):
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Division is one of Satan’s most effective weapons against the Body of Christ (John 17:21). The Church must guard unity and love.

5. Lessons for Believers Today

1. God fights for His people – We can trust Him to defend us in ways we cannot imagine (Exodus 14:14).
2. Worship and obedience bring victory – Like Jehoshaphat, praise opens the door for God’s intervention.
3. Unity is strength – When God’s people are united in love, the enemy cannot prevail (John 13:34–35).
4. Beware of Satan’s schemes – If we harbor envy, grudges, or hatred, we open the door for self-destruction within the Church.

Conclusion

When God says, “every man’s sword will be against his brother” (Ezekiel 38:21), it reveals His power to fight for His people by turning the enemy against themselves. But it also warns us not to allow Satan to sow division among God’s children.

If we walk in love, holiness, and unity, the Lord Himself will preserve us, while our enemies fall into confusion.

Shalom.

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