Ezekiel 38-39
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Prophesy_ Ezek 38 & 39
Prophesy_ Ezek 38 & 39
Ezekiel: 38& 39
Though God brought to man the Law [Moses, Deut.,etc.] man continued to rebel Man has since the beginning tried to usurp God and place himself on the throne. Through Judges and 1st kings the same pattern continued.
Now in the Prophets, we see the same ongoing struggles but what is unique is that God reveals himself to mankind. In the Psalms we learn of man’s attitude and position towards God, especially in Israel’s’ s role. But in the prophesies God shows his feelings, his perspective towards man.
The prophets were a weird lot almost of them were forth telling, they proclaimed the intent of God relayed with boldness the word of God. Some were foretelling [seers]of events that were yet to come. Their prophecies were often in symbolic language and mysterious times, meanings. Remember that God is outside of space and time so it is difficult t-for us to understand these intentional cryptic messages. We looks for material specifics, clear times and sequences. In the Prophets you find snapshot of an event, sometimes of an event that is near, sometimes far off and some are out thousands of years.
We tend to be most curious about the specific time or place that something will occur. But this can be at the loss of what God wants us to know. He was exposing his nature to us. He is also showing that he is a personal God. Unlike the other religions or the Greek and Roman gods, those Gods which were distinct and aloof, gods who could not be depended upon, who did whatever they willed. our God is up close and personal. He is intimately desires our holiness, sanctification, and being with Him. He is a God who wants to be known.
So where God wants to reveal the higher things, the attitude of God towards us , we want to define and use the lower things- the times place and outcome. What we know we can control.
God wants us to test him, seek him not just a snapshot, but an ongoing venture drawing ever closer in wisdom and love. What makes the prophetical messages even more difficult and that within the same sentence you can have some fulfillment of the prophecy, another portion that is fulfilled later.
Generally the prophecy is most accurate from the rearview mirror. We can see the result in the NT that explains what the earlier prophecy as about. So are yet to be fulfilled.
Also we want to understand prophecy in the political happenings. To the ancients they were interested in wisdom, wealth, and might] power. The prophets talked from the spiritual and moral The prophecy perspective and the prophecy preceded the effect that could be seen in the material world. God’s proohesy announcing His will is like a seismic move, huge movements between sections of continents that are unseen yet result in earthquakes and the upheaval of mountains. His tells us what is the larger, unseen effect that will become visible to a smaller degree on the surface of the earth. We again try to lower the vision that God wants us to see and we want want to understand the smaller effect on earth. Or like the tide in the depths of the sea that chases the pull of the moon around the earth at over 1,00 miles per hour. Yet we look at the waves and wind on the surface [ the result of the tide]We are curious about the results occurring of prophecy, we want to observe the outcome and are unaware of the tide that moves beneath the waves. We want to see the crash and roar of the waves, but miss the understanding that God wants to communicate.
The spiritual underlays and precedes the actual or material results in the world.
The prophets give us hope during the most difficult times since they reflect God’s goodness, and joy beyond what we can see in the now.
I think that the lucrative emphasis on the material realization of prophecies when combined with pre-tribulation rapture soften use, cripple the church. Our attitude can go from the urgency of what needs to be done to an attitude of ‘we will be in the bleachers” safely watching the big game as it unfolds. The is not the understanding in church history.
OOOOOOOOO Ezekiel 38:1–8(ESV) Prophecy Against Gog 38 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him 3 and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. 4 And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords. 5 Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.
7 “Be ready and keep ready, you and all your hosts that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. 8 After many days you will be mustered [gathered together for battle]. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them.
Note this prophesy is being made while Ezekiel is in captivity by the Babylonians.
prophesy against him, I will turn you about , I will bring you out,
This is God bringing this about. He tells Zeke to tell Gog that he will turn them about, that God will bring them out. God is the author of these acts, God is bringing the conquering enemy of Israel summoned them, drafting them. This is not Satan in charge, but the forces of evil being used by God.
(2.) A nation, probably descended from the son of Japheth. It is mentioned by Isaiah (66:19), along with Javan, and by Ezekiel (27:13), along with Meshech, among the traders with Tyre, also among the confederates of Gog (
), and with Meshech among the nations which were to be destroyed (32:26). This nation was probably the Tiberini of the Greek historian Herodotus, a people of the Asiatic highland west of the Upper Euphrates, the southern range of the Caucasus, on the east of the Black Sea.
Magog - Ukraine , Russia, and Kazakhistan - also conquered east if black se = turkey [Tubal], Meshech same SE of black sea, proverbial a distant place and hostile people ; Put = Libya
Cush - Ethiopia, Persia =Iran
Gog is never identified. Many scholars have studied this and no one knows for sure. Some say that this is a reference to Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon- some say this is one who represents a great evil, some say. There are also various commentaries on where the nations are. But one thing for certain is that the implication is that Israel is surrounded by armies in the North and the South. And what is curious is that Babylon is NOT mentioned.
OOOOO Ezekiel 38:8–9(ESV) 8 After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them. 9 You will advance, coming on like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your hordes, and many peoples with you.
It will take time to bring all these forces of evil together and in the latter times - soon , last days, or after 1000 yr. reign, at the final days when Christ returns?? Commentary: Some think this attack on Israel should be identified with the attack of Gog and Magog at the end of the millennium
, but this identification has several flaws. The first is a chronological consideration. Why would the people remain on earth after the battle to burn the weapons of war for seven years
Ezk 39:9–10) instead of entering immediately into eternity (
Rv 21:1–4)? The results of Ezekiel’s battle do not coincide with the events following the battle in Rv 20. Why bury the dead for seven months after the battle (
Ezk 39:12–13
) when the next prophetic event is the resurrection....The second flaw concerns the results of this battle. The effect on the people is different. In Ezekiel the battle is the catalyst God will use to draw Israel to Himself (cf. ) and to end Israel’s dispersion among the nations. In contrast, in
Rv 20
the battle will occur after Israel has been faithful to her God and has enjoyed His blessings for a thousand years …or some say occurs during the millennium; others say during the tribulation!!
But the dark horde will come against a land restored, at peace, and defenseless, unaware of the oncoming battle
OOOOOO Ezekiel 38:8–18 (ESV) 10 “Thus says the Lord God: On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme 11 and say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates,’ 12 to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and the people who were gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell at the center of the earth. 13 Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?’
14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord God: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely[ repeat of V8:], will you not know it? 15 You will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army. 16 You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
17 “Thus says the Lord God: Are you he of whom I spoke in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel, who in those days prophesied for years that I would bring you against them? 18 But on that day, the day that Gog shall come against the land of Israel, declares the Lord God, my wrath will be roused in my anger.
God knows Gog’s thinking. It is almost tempting God to come and take this defenseless and unaware people, Israel. Bat at the wounding of Israel it is really a trap. Go’s wrath is about to come. Note that Israel is at peace and unaware- totally vulnerable
Moody commentary So most likely the Islamic invasion, the battle described by Ezekiel, will begin just prior to the antichrist breaking his covenant with Israel. The defeat of these nations will free the future world ruler from maintaining a military alliance with Israel. If the battle occurs at this point, it will provide the time needed to bury the dead (Ezk 39:12–13
) and to burn the weapons of war (Ezk 39:9–10)—namely, during the remainder of the great tribulation and perhaps into the initial months of the millennial kingdom following
OOOOOO Ezekiel 38:19–23(HCSB) 19 I swear in My zeal and fiery rage: On that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. 20 The fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, every creature that crawls on the ground, and every human being on the face of the earth will tremble before Me. The mountains will be thrown down, the cliffs will collapse, and every wall will fall to the ground. 21 I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains”—the declaration of the Lord God—“and every man’s sword will be against his brother. 22 I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone on him, as well as his troops and the many peoples who are with him. 23 I will display My greatness and holiness, and will reveal Myself in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.
God is showing not only Israel, but all the nations that he is God - the unspeakable name
Chap 19
Is this two phases? Phase 1 is the ambush of Gog; Phase 2 is the defeat and retreat
OOOOOOOOOO Ezekiel 39:1–8(HCSB) 39 “As for you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: This is what the Lord God says: Look, I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. 2 I will turn you around, drive you on, and lead you up from the remotest parts of the north. I will bring you against the mountains of Israel. 3 Then I will knock your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand. 4 You, all your troops, and the peoples who are with you will fall on the mountains of Israel. I will give you as food to every kind of predatory bird and to the wild animals. 5 You will fall on the open field, for I have spoken.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.
6 “I will send fire against Magog and those who live securely on the coasts and islands. Then they will know that I am Yahweh. 7 So I will make My holy name known among My people Israel and will no longer allow it to be profaned. Then the nations will know that I am Yahweh, the Holy One in Israel. 8 Yes, it is coming, and it will happen.” This is the declaration of the Lord God. “This is the day I have spoken about.
So now God steps in and not only defeats Gog but he chases them. God and his followers are in full retreat and God drives them up against the mountains. Then they are slaughtered, no burial, no terms of surrender - only the scavengers do their thing.
V6:Then Magog is burned and those who thought they were safe from the battle. All will know that HE is God. God destroys not just the army but their lands.
.....V 7:So I will make My holy name known among My people Israel and will no longer allow it to be profaned. Names meant more to those cultures, than today. A name was more than a label to identify a person. The name carried meaning about the character, about the purpose of a person. But it also carried with it the identified authority, the one that is true, that ihas power. Even in Jesus times. When someone prayed or was called in His name- it meant that they were His and came with his purpose. When a king gave a signet ring to a messenger, an ambassador, the ring identified that he was there with the purpose and authority to represent the king. When people swore, they swore by some authority. When people made a promise they gave them their word or by their name.
Go back to the beginning days when Moses instructed God with the commandments that were given
Deuteronomy 5:6–11
(6 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.
7 Do not have other gods besides Me.
8 Do not make an idol for yourself ....... 10 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commands.
11 Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses His name.
So the 3rd or 4th commandment depending on how you count said do not take my name frivolously, or demean it. This meant that you were not to swear by God’s name nor blaspheme [ deny or diminish God]. The Hebrews in order not to profane [ make equivalent to the world] that they would not dare to mention God’s name - they swore by the throne in heaven, or the heavens or etc. ] They swore by something that was considered sacrosanct, so precious, so inviolable ] Today or in the movies someone will swear by the children or their grandmother’s grave to show that what they said was true.
God has led a slaughter than initially seemed to doom Israel but instead showed that there was none nor anything that was even remotely comparable to the almighty God. His authority, his power, who He is, His will - all done in and for HIS name will never be doubted. His name will never be seen as worthless or sterile.
He says this in the sternest terms, it is not just a socially awkward action, nor a mistake, but He says that you will be punished.
OOOOOO Ezekiel 39:9–20 (HCSB) 9 “Then the inhabitants of Israel’s cities will go out, kindle fires, and burn the weapons—the bucklers and shields, the bows and arrows, the clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them to make fires. 10 They will not gather wood from the countryside or cut it down from the forests, for they will use the weapons to make fires. They will take the loot from those who looted them and plunder those who plundered them.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.
11 “Now on that day I will give Gog a burial place there in Israel—the Valley of the Travelers east of the Sea. It will block those who travel through, for Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon-gog. 12 The house of Israel will spend seven months burying them in order to cleanse the land. 13 All the people of the land will bury them and their fame will spread on the day I display My glory.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.
14 “They will appoint men on a full-time basis to pass through the land and bury the invaders who remain on the surface of the ground, in order to cleanse it. They will make their search at the end of the seven months. 15 When they pass through the land and one of them sees a human bone, he will set up a marker next to it until the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon-gog. 16 There will even be a city named Hamonah there. So they will cleanse the land.
17 “Son of man, this is what the Lord God says: Tell every kind of bird and all the wild animals: Assemble and come! Gather from all around to My sacrificial feast that I am slaughtering for you, a great feast on the mountains of Israel; you will eat flesh and drink blood. 18 You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the earth’s princes: rams, lambs, male goats, and all the fattened bulls of Bashan. 19 You will eat fat until you are satisfied and drink blood until you are drunk, at My sacrificial feast that I have prepared for you. 20 At My table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, of mighty men and all the warriors.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.
This passage shows the extent in numbers and distance of the slaughter. It takes 7 months just to clean the land of the corpses of God’s horde. A designated bone burial place so that the land as a whole could be cleansed.
I assume the burial spot was east of the Sea of Galilee since that is north where the Gog were pursued
OOOOOOO Ezekiel 39:21–29(HCSB)Israel’s Restoration to God -- 21 “I will display My glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the judgment I have executed and the hand I have laid on them. 22 From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am Yahweh their God. 23 And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile on account of their iniquity, because they dealt unfaithfully with Me. Therefore, I hid My face from them and handed them over to their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword. 24 I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and transgressions, and I hid My face from them.
25 “So this is what the Lord God says: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have compassion on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for My holy name. 26 They will feel remorse for their disgrace and all the unfaithfulness they committed against Me, when they live securely in their land with no one to frighten them. 27 When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the countries of their enemies, I will demonstrate My holiness through them in the sight of many nations. 28 They will know that I am Yahweh their God when I regather them to their own land after having exiled them among the nations. I will leave none of them behind. 29 I will no longer hide My face from them, for I will pour out My Spirit on the house of Israel.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.
God says that they will see His judgement and what He brought about.
........and the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile on account of their iniquity, because they dealt unfaithfully with Me. Therefore, I hid My face from them and handed them over to their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword. 24 I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and transgressions, and I hid My face from them.
The nations not only knowing the might of God will see that he sent Israel into exile because of their unfaithfulness to Him and their sin. Again, God states that He is the one who handed over Israel for their impurity, unfaithfulness and sins.
……… Ezekiel 39:25–29(HCSB) 25 “So this is what the Lord God says: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have compassion on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for My holy name. 26 They will feel remorse for their disgrace and all the unfaithfulness they committed against Me, when they live securely in their land with no one to frighten them. 27 When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the countries of their enemies, I will demonstrate My holiness through them in the sight of many nations. 28 They will know that I am Yahweh their God when I regather them to their own land after having exiled them among the nations. I will leave none of them behind. 29 I will no longer hide My face from them, for I will pour out My Spirit on the house of Israel.” This is the declaration of the Lord God.
Now comes restoration on the whole house of Israel. He will be jealous,[allow no straying] of His Holy Name. Israel will be remorseful [repentant??]. He will bring them back from the nations. None will be left behind His Spirit and it will be poured out on Israel. He states an ending “this is declared by Lord God [the proper name of God-Jehovah]