Eze 39:24 | KingComments | STEP | In we hear a new “thus says the Lord GOD” – for the sixth time in these two chapters. The LORD is returning to what He said to Ezekiel in . He is to call all the birds of prey and beasts of prey to feast on the fallen multitude of Gog. The LORD calls it “My sacrifice” ( ) and “a great sacrifice” ( ) that He brings. The predators may eat the flesh and drink the blood ( ). The blood is the life and belongs to God. He can therefore determine what He does with it. Here He gives it to the beasts of prey, making the libelous destruction of this immense army even more libelous. The ‘meal’ is mentioned in components and there may be unlimited eating, to satiety and drunkenness. The sacrifice that the LORD brings knows no measure. They may eat it at “My table” ( ). The LORD has prepared everything, they need only consume, placing no limit on themselves. Through His dealings with Gog and his multitude, God shows His glory to the nations ( ). Those nations will see His judgment that He has executed. They will see in that judgment His hand that He has laid on Gog and His multitude as proof of His complete rule over these rebels. If ever there was a thought that the LORD could not deliver His people, it has now been set right ( ). That thought may have arisen in the past among His people, the house of Israel, who have been besieged and destroyed again and again by enemies. That thought may also have occurred to the nations who have been able to take possession of Israel again and again ( ). The nations will come to realize that they were very wrong in attributing Israel’s exile to God’s inability to protect His people from the enemies. It did not occur to them that God sent those very enemies and gave them the power to overcome His people because His people had been unfaithful to Him and therefore He had to discipline them. That is why the king of Babylon was able to carry the people away into exile and why other enemies were able to kill them. It is because the LORD has given His people into their hands. He dealt with His people because of their transgressions against Him ( ). Therefore, He had to hide His face from them.

‏ Ezekiel 39:24

The Judgment on Gog Glorifies the LORD

In Eze 39:17 we hear a new “thus says the Lord GOD” – for the sixth time in these two chapters. The LORD is returning to what He said to Ezekiel in Eze 39:4. He is to call all the birds of prey and beasts of prey to feast on the fallen multitude of Gog. The LORD calls it “My sacrifice” (Eze 39:17 ; 19) and “a great sacrifice” (Eze 39:17) that He brings.

The predators may eat the flesh and drink the blood (Eze 39:17-19). The blood is the life and belongs to God. He can therefore determine what He does with it. Here He gives it to the beasts of prey, making the libelous destruction of this immense army even more libelous. The ‘meal’ is mentioned in components and there may be unlimited eating, to satiety and drunkenness. The sacrifice that the LORD brings knows no measure. They may eat it at “My table” (Eze 39:20). The LORD has prepared everything, they need only consume, placing no limit on themselves.

Through His dealings with Gog and his multitude, God shows His glory to the nations (Eze 39:21). Those nations will see His judgment that He has executed. They will see in that judgment His hand that He has laid on Gog and His multitude as proof of His complete rule over these rebels.

If ever there was a thought that the LORD could not deliver His people, it has now been set right (Eze 39:22). That thought may have arisen in the past among His people, the house of Israel, who have been besieged and destroyed again and again by enemies. That thought may also have occurred to the nations who have been able to take possession of Israel again and again (Eze 39:23). The nations will come to realize that they were very wrong in attributing Israel’s exile to God’s inability to protect His people from the enemies.

It did not occur to them that God sent those very enemies and gave them the power to overcome His people because His people had been unfaithful to Him and therefore He had to discipline them. That is why the king of Babylon was able to carry the people away into exile and why other enemies were able to kill them. It is because the LORD has given His people into their hands. He dealt with His people because of their transgressions against Him (Eze 39:24). Therefore, He had to hide His face from them.