Gog’s Attack and God’s Judgment

38:1 The word of the Lord came to me: 38:2 “Son of man, turn toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him 38:3 and say: ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Look, I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. 38:4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and bring you out with all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them fully armed, a great company with shields of different types, all of them armed with swords. 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Put are with them, all of them with shields and helmets. 38:6 They are joined by Gomer with all its troops, and by Beth Togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops – many peoples are with you. 38:7 “‘Be ready and stay ready, you and all your companies assembled around you, and be a guard for them. 38:8 After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come to a land restored from the ravages of war, with many peoples gathered on the mountains of Israel that had long been in ruins. Its people were brought out from the peoples, and all of them will be living securely. 38:9 You will advance; you will come like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the earth, you, all your troops, and the many other peoples with you. 38:10 “‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. 38:11 You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled towns; I will advance against those living quietly in security – all of them living without walls and barred gates – 38:12 to loot and plunder, to attack the inhabited ruins and the people gathered from the nations, who are acquiring cattle and goods, who live at the center of the earth.” 38:13 Sheba and Dedan and the traders of Tarshish with all its young warriors will say to you, “Have you come to loot? Have you assembled your armies to plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to haul away a great amount of spoils?”’ 38:14 “Therefore, prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog: ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: On that day when my people Israel are living securely, you will take notice 38:15 and come from your place, from the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a vast army. 38:16 You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud covering the earth. In the latter days I will bring you against my land so that the nations may acknowledge me, when before their eyes I magnify myself through you, O Gog. 38:17 “‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days that I would bring you against them? 38:18 On that day, when Gog invades the land of Israel, declares the sovereign Lord, my rage will mount up in my anger. 38:19 In my zeal, in the fire of my fury, I declare that on that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. 38:20 The fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the wild beasts, all the things that creep on the ground, and all people who live on the face of the earth will shake at my presence. The mountains will topple, the cliffs will fall, and every wall will fall to the ground. 38:21 I will call for a sword to attack Gog on all my mountains, declares the sovereign Lord; every man’s sword will be against his brother. 38:22 I will judge him with plague and bloodshed. I will rain down on him, his troops and the many peoples who are with him a torrential downpour, hailstones, fire, and brimstone. 38:23 I will exalt and magnify myself; I will reveal myself before many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

God says he will bring a vast enemy force against restored Israel. But he will also destroy that force. The point is not human power. The point is that the Lord will show his holiness and make the nations know that he alone is the Lord.

Ezekiel speaks against Gog, the leader of a great coalition from distant lands. The Lord says he is already against Gog. He will draw him out, even though Gog intends evil.

The enemy’s real aim is plunder. He sees a land where God’s people are living in security, and he plans to attack and steal. But the Lord says he is the one bringing this attack into view. He does this so that his own name will be made known.

When Gog comes against Israel, the Lord will answer with fear, confusion, earthquake, sword, plague, hail, fire, and brimstone. The enemy army will turn on itself. This is not a random disaster. It is the Lord’s judgment.

The passage shows that restored peace does not depend on human strength. It depends on God’s rule. The Lord will protect his people and judge proud violence. He will reveal himself before the nations.

• God is already against Gog before the battle begins.
• The enemy’s plan is evil and aimed at plunder.
• God rules the timing and outcome of the attack.
• The Lord judges violent pride with overwhelming power.
• God acts so the nations will know that he is the Lord.

• Warning: evil plans do not escape God’s control or judgment.
• Warning: outward peace does not mean final safety apart from the Lord.
• Promise: God will reveal his holiness and sovereignty before the nations.
• Command: do not read this passage as a license for confident speculation about modern nations or headlines.

God brings the hostile coalition against restored Israel so that he can judge evil, protect his people, and show his greatness to the nations. The passage moves toward the public vindication of God’s name and the confirmation that his promises are sure.

Do not trust in visible security alone. Trust the Lord who rules over nations, plans, and judgments. He sees hostile intentions, and he will act in his time. This passage calls God’s people to confidence in his holiness, not fear of human power.

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