Eze 38:8 | KingComments | STEP | The section of Ezekiel 33-37 gives a nice overview of the restoration of Israel in the end time, culminating in the Messianic realm of peace ( ). From other prophecies we know that the Lord Jesus, at His return to earth to deliver His people from their enemies, defeated several enemies. These include at least: 1. The armies of the restored Western Roman Empire, which is the united Europe. They are crushingly defeated by the Lord at Har-Magedon ( ). 2. Nations gathered in Edom, the greatest hater of God’s people. They are crushingly defeated by the Lord in Edom ( ). 3. The king of the north and his allies. They are crushingly defeated by the Lord between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean Sea ( ). These enemies in particular oppressed Israel severely during the great tribulation. Ezekiel does not speak of that great tribulation. He speaks primarily of God’s work to bring Israel into the promised blessing. That blessing has come with the coming of the Messiah to His people. He has made from the two nations and kingdoms they were – the ten and the two tribes – again “one nation …, on the mountains of Israel” with “one King”, which is He Himself ( ). At this point we have arrived in this book. But there is another enemy that must be defeated before the realm of peace can be fully established. That enemy is described in this and the next chapter (Ezekiel 38-39). That this enemy is special is evident from the detailed description to make clear why, where and how God is dealing with this enemy. In seven prophecies, introduced each time with “thus says the Lord GOD”, the picture of the extermination of this mysterious enemy is drawn ( ). The word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel ( ). He is to set his face toward Gog ( ). Gog is in the land of Magog and is prince of Rosh [or: chief prince of], Meshech and Tubal. Magog, Meshech and Tubal are nations descended from the sons of Japheth, the son of Noah ( ; ). Who Gog himself is is not clear from Scripture. He dwells in “remote parts of the north”, i.e. the uttermost north ( ). Gog is not the king of the north of Daniel 11, for that one is associated with Assyria or great Syria. The king of the north will not attack Israel when it is at rest in its unprotected land, but earlier. Gog is a power that is so audacious to attack Israel after all that has happened,. Nor should these Gog and Magog be confused with the Gog and Magog mentioned in Revelation 20. There they are powers that organize the rebellion after the realm of peace ( ), whereas here in Ezekiel it is an attack at the beginning of the realm of peace. The rebellion in Revelation 20 also comes not only from the uttermost north, as here in Ezekiel, but from all corners of the earth and across its breadth. The names Gog and Magog are used in Revelation 20 because that rebellion is similar to the attack that Ezekiel describes. Ezekiel describes a rebellion that takes place when the Lord Jesus is already present on earth and Israel is living peacefully and unconcerned, while there are still some enemies who must also be subdued. The most plausible explanation – found in several commentaries – is that by the enemy Ezekiel describes, Russia is meant. In my view, several details in the description support this explanation, although certainly some details remain unclear. As we reflect on these chapters, these details are discussed. Regarding the names Meshech and Tubal, Roger Liebi says the following in his explanation of this chapter: ‘Meshech and Tubal mean the Muscovites and Tobolskites. These are the primordial peoples of today’s Russians, who populated the area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea 2,000 years ago.’ It is remarkable that the LORD Himself initiates Gog’s attack on Israel, because He wants to judge that prince ( ). He will do so by pulling him by hooks in his jaws like a beast in an irresistible way to Israel (cf. ). This does not alter the fact that this power itself intends to advance. Here we see that the LORD makes use of the evil plans of this power, just as He makes use of the evil plans of satan (cf. ; ; ; ). The big difference with the other enemies of God’s people in the past is that Gog is not an instrument in God’s hand to discipline His people. That is the case with, for example, the Assyrians in the book of Isaiah and the Babylonians in the book of Jeremiah. Those nations were used by God as His disciplinary rod for His people. What we see with Gog, however, is that God wants and will judge this enemy in His land because of all that this enemy has done to His people and because of their opposition and enmity to Him. That the initiative comes from the LORD is clear ( ). Gog is compelled, as it were, into this expedition by force. A mighty army is formed, with horses and horsemen, wearing impressive uniforms. The soldiers are armed to the teeth and skilled in the handling of the sword. This army also includes soldiers from other nations ( ). But the overall responsibility lies with Gog, who is appointed by the LORD as a guard over this vast army ( ). The preparation of the expedition will take considerable time, “many days”, but when the time comes, Gog will be punished. This will happen when he finally arrives in restored Israel with the intention to seize its chance there ( ). After their wanderings Israel has been gathered “in the latter years” from many nations and then lives on the mountains of its land, which have been so destroyed by its previous enemies that it seems to be a permanent devastation. Now that the people have returned to their land, the hostile powers have been judged, and the Messiah is protecting them, they live there unconcerned. Ezekiel uses the phrase “living securely” ( ; ; cf. ; ) to describe the Messianic security and safety of God’s new Israel. This situation is the perfect opportunity for Gog and his armies to launch a ruthless attack ( ). They imagine they can overrun the land with their throngs of soldiers and destroy it once again. Their attack targets a land that has suffered indescribably for centuries and now finally has peace. Gog’s whole attitude shows his insidious cunning and ruthlessness.

‏ Ezekiel 38:8

Introduction

The section of Ezekiel 33-37 gives a nice overview of the restoration of Israel in the end time, culminating in the Messianic realm of peace (Eze 37:24-28). From other prophecies we know that the Lord Jesus, at His return to earth to deliver His people from their enemies, defeated several enemies. These include at least:

1. The armies of the restored Western Roman Empire, which is the united Europe. They are crushingly defeated by the Lord at Har-Magedon (Rev 16:13-16 ; Rev 19:17-19).

2. Nations gathered in Edom, the greatest hater of God’s people. They are crushingly defeated by the Lord in Edom (Isa 63:1-6).

3. The king of the north and his allies. They are crushingly defeated by the Lord between Jerusalem and the Mediterranean Sea (Dan 11:40-45).

These enemies in particular oppressed Israel severely during the great tribulation. Ezekiel does not speak of that great tribulation. He speaks primarily of God’s work to bring Israel into the promised blessing. That blessing has come with the coming of the Messiah to His people. He has made from the two nations and kingdoms they were – the ten and the two tribes – again “one nation …, on the mountains of Israel” with “one King”, which is He Himself (Eze 37:22).

At this point we have arrived in this book. But there is another enemy that must be defeated before the realm of peace can be fully established. That enemy is described in this and the next chapter (Ezekiel 38-39).

That this enemy is special is evident from the detailed description to make clear why, where and how God is dealing with this enemy. In seven prophecies, introduced each time with “thus says the Lord GOD”, the picture of the extermination of this mysterious enemy is drawn (Eze 38:1-9 ; 10-13 ; 14-16 ; 17-23 ; Eze 39:1-16 ; 17-24 ; 25-29).

Prophecy About Gog

The word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Eze 38:1). He is to set his face toward Gog (Eze 38:2). Gog is in the land of Magog and is prince of Rosh [or: chief prince of], Meshech and Tubal. Magog, Meshech and Tubal are nations descended from the sons of Japheth, the son of Noah (Gen 10:2; 1Chr 1:5). Who Gog himself is is not clear from Scripture. He dwells in “remote parts of the north”, i.e. the uttermost north (Eze 38:6 ; 15). Gog is not the king of the north of Daniel 11, for that one is associated with Assyria or great Syria. The king of the north will not attack Israel when it is at rest in its unprotected land, but earlier. Gog is a power that is so audacious to attack Israel after all that has happened,.

Nor should these Gog and Magog be confused with the Gog and Magog mentioned in Revelation 20. There they are powers that organize the rebellion after the realm of peace (Rev 20:7-9), whereas here in Ezekiel it is an attack at the beginning of the realm of peace. The rebellion in Revelation 20 also comes not only from the uttermost north, as here in Ezekiel, but from all corners of the earth and across its breadth. The names Gog and Magog are used in Revelation 20 because that rebellion is similar to the attack that Ezekiel describes. Ezekiel describes a rebellion that takes place when the Lord Jesus is already present on earth and Israel is living peacefully and unconcerned, while there are still some enemies who must also be subdued.

The most plausible explanation – found in several commentaries – is that by the enemy Ezekiel describes, Russia is meant. In my view, several details in the description support this explanation, although certainly some details remain unclear. As we reflect on these chapters, these details are discussed.

Regarding the names Meshech and Tubal, Roger Liebi says the following in his explanation of this chapter: ‘Meshech and Tubal mean the Muscovites and Tobolskites. These are the primordial peoples of today’s Russians, who populated the area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea 2,000 years ago.’

It is remarkable that the LORD Himself initiates Gog’s attack on Israel, because He wants to judge that prince (Eze 38:3). He will do so by pulling him by hooks in his jaws like a beast in an irresistible way to Israel (cf. Eze 19:4 ; 9 ; Eze 29:4). This does not alter the fact that this power itself intends to advance. Here we see that the LORD makes use of the evil plans of this power, just as He makes use of the evil plans of satan (cf. 2Sam 24:1; 1Chr 21:1; Isa 10:5-19; Hab 1:5-11).

The big difference with the other enemies of God’s people in the past is that Gog is not an instrument in God’s hand to discipline His people. That is the case with, for example, the Assyrians in the book of Isaiah and the Babylonians in the book of Jeremiah. Those nations were used by God as His disciplinary rod for His people. What we see with Gog, however, is that God wants and will judge this enemy in His land because of all that this enemy has done to His people and because of their opposition and enmity to Him.

That the initiative comes from the LORD is clear (Eze 38:4). Gog is compelled, as it were, into this expedition by force. A mighty army is formed, with horses and horsemen, wearing impressive uniforms. The soldiers are armed to the teeth and skilled in the handling of the sword. This army also includes soldiers from other nations (Eze 38:5-6). But the overall responsibility lies with Gog, who is appointed by the LORD as a guard over this vast army (Eze 38:7).

The preparation of the expedition will take considerable time, “many days”, but when the time comes, Gog will be punished. This will happen when he finally arrives in restored Israel with the intention to seize its chance there (Eze 38:8). After their wanderings Israel has been gathered “in the latter years” from many nations and then lives on the mountains of its land, which have been so destroyed by its previous enemies that it seems to be a permanent devastation. Now that the people have returned to their land, the hostile powers have been judged, and the Messiah is protecting them, they live there unconcerned. Ezekiel uses the phrase “living securely” (Eze 38:11 ; 14; Eze 39:26; cf. Lev 25:18 ; 19 ; Lev 26:5; 1Kgs 4:25) to describe the Messianic security and safety of God’s new Israel.

This situation is the perfect opportunity for Gog and his armies to launch a ruthless attack (Eze 38:9). They imagine they can overrun the land with their throngs of soldiers and destroy it once again. Their attack targets a land that has suffered indescribably for centuries and now finally has peace. Gog’s whole attitude shows his insidious cunning and ruthlessness.