Eze 38 | MHM | STEP | The Judgment of Gog and Magog This section is about God’s warning against Gog, a leader of a powerful nation called Magog. There is much debate about where Gog and Magog are, but what matters most is God’s message. God shows that he sees the enemies of his people and is always in control. Even when enemies plan to attack God’s people, God’s plan will succeed. God will use these events to show his power and protect his people. v. 1-3 : God tells Ezekiel to prophesy against Gog, the ruler of Magog. God says, “I am against you, Gog.” This is a strong warning. God sees those who are enemies of his people—both now and in the future. He lets them know that he will stand against them (Ezekiel 38:2-3 ).

‏ Ezekiel 38

The Judgment of Gog and Magog

This section is about God’s warning against Gog, a leader of a powerful nation called Magog. There is much debate about where Gog and Magog are, but what matters most is God’s message. God shows that he sees the enemies of his people and is always in control. Even when enemies plan to attack God’s people, God’s plan will succeed. God will use these events to show his power and protect his people.

v. 1-3: God tells Ezekiel to prophesy against Gog, the ruler of Magog. God says, “I am against you, Gog.” This is a strong warning. God sees those who are enemies of his people—both now and in the future. He lets them know that he will stand against them (Ezekiel 38:2-3 ^a).

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v. 4: God says he will put hooks in Gog’s jaws and turn him back. God is showing that he is in control of Gog’s actions. Before the enemy can even attack, God promises to defeat him. This gives comfort to God’s people, showing that their deliverance is sure, even before trouble comes .

v. 5-6: Many nations will join Gog, including Persia, Ethiopia, and others. They are powerful and have many weapons. Even though these nations were once divided, they unite against Israel. This shows how many can rise up against God’s people (Ezekiel 38:5-6 ^b).

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v. 7: God tells Gog to prepare himself and his armies for battle. He is to make all the preparations he can. This command is almost like a challenge—God is saying, “Get ready, but I will still stop you.” It is a reminder that even the best plans against God’s people will fail .

v. 8: Gog’s plan is to attack the mountains of Israel, a land that has been recently restored. The people are living in peace, without defenses like walls and gates. They do not expect anyone to attack them. This makes the enemy’s plans even worse, because they want to harm a peaceful people .

v. 9: Gog and his armies will come in like a storm to cover the land, with many nations joining him. They come with great force, hoping to take everything for themselves. This shows how serious and dangerous the attack will seem .

v. 10-12: God knows the evil thoughts in Gog’s mind. Gog wants to attack peaceful people to steal their wealth and goods. His plan is not to punish Israel for any wrong, but simply to rob and take whatever he wants. God knows people’s thoughts before they even think them (Ezekiel 38:10-12; Psalm 139:2 ^c).

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v. 13: Other nations, like Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, will ask Gog if he has come to take the spoil. Some may even want to join him for their own gain. Others may mock him, knowing that God protects Israel .

The Judgment of Gog and Magog

This part of the chapter repeats and emphasizes the earlier prophecy about Gog and Magog. God wants his people to pay close attention because what he says is certain. The prophecy shows that even when powerful enemies attack, God is in control. He allows these things to happen so that everyone will see his power and holiness when he saves his people and defeats their enemies.

v. 14-16: God tells Ezekiel to prophesy again to Gog. He says that Gog will come from the north with a huge army, like a cloud covering the land of Israel. The enemy will attack when Israel is living safely. God allows this to happen so that the nations will see his greatness when he defeats Gog. God’s people may seem unprotected, but God himself is their shield. The enemy will learn that no one can harm God’s people without facing God’s power (Ezekiel 38:14-16; Micah 4:11-12 ^d).

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v. 17: God reminds Gog that this attack was spoken about by the prophets long ago. Prophets like Moses, David, and Isaiah warned that enemies would come against God’s people, but God would judge them. This shows that God’s word is always true and all his prophets agree because they are led by the same Spirit (Ezekiel 38:17; Deuteronomy 32:43 ^e; Psalm 9:15; Isaiah 27:1 ^f).

v. 18-19: When Gog attacks Israel, God’s anger will rise. God will show his fury and speak in the fire of his wrath. There will be a great shaking in the land, showing how serious God’s judgment is. God’s anger is not like human anger; it is holy and just, and it comes when people attack his people (Ezekiel 38:18-19 ^g).

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v. 20: The whole land will feel the effects of God’s judgment. The fish, birds, animals, and people will all be shaken. Even the mountains, cliffs, towers, and walls will fall. This shows that nothing can stand against God when he acts in judgment .

v. 21: God will call for a sword against Gog throughout Israel. Even the enemy’s own soldiers will turn against each other, just like in the story of Midian. God can make those who attack his people destroy themselves (Ezekiel 38:21; Psalm 83:9 ^h).

v. 22: God will punish Gog with disease and bloodshed. He will send heavy rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone, just like he did to the Canaanites and Sodom. God uses both the earth and the sky to fight for his people (Ezekiel 38:22; Joshua 10:11 ⁱ; Psalm 11:6; Revelation 20:9-10 ^j).

v. 23: God says that through all these events, he will show that he is great and holy. The nations will know that he is the Lord. God’s main purpose is to glorify himself and show everyone that he is the true God. We should pray, “Father, glorify your name” (Ezekiel 38:23 ^k).