Ezekiel 38
Ezekiel 38 describes a prophecy concerning a future invasion of Israel led by Gog from the land of Magog, along with a coalition of nations. This attack will occur after Israel has been restored and is living in peace. God declares that He will use this invasion to demonstrate His power to Israel and the nations by miraculously defending His people. The chapter underscores God's sovereignty, the inevitability of His plans, and His commitment to protecting Israel and revealing His glory to the world.
Ezekiel 38:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,
3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.”
God speaks to Ezekiel, instructing him to address a figure named Gog, from the land of Magog, who is identified as a leader over Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. God’s declaration that He is “against” Gog sets the stage for a confrontation. Gog represents a leader or force set against God’s people, and the prophecy warns of an impending conflict that will ultimately display God’s justice and power.
Ezekiel 38:4-6 (NKJV)
4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.
5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet;
6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you.
God declares that He will draw Gog and his coalition of nations, including Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya, into action. This coalition is well-armed and formidable, representing various nations from distant regions. By orchestrating this invasion, God is not merely allowing the attack; He is directing it for a purpose, setting the stage for His intervention to defend Israel.
Ezekiel 38:7-9 (NKJV)
7 “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.
8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.
9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”
Gog and his allies are instructed to prepare for the invasion. The prophecy points to a future time when Israel, once desolate and scattered, will be restored and living securely in their land. The invaders will come like a powerful storm, showing the overwhelming force they bring. This imagery underscores the sense of danger and the threat against a peaceful Israel, setting the stage for divine intervention.
Ezekiel 38:10-13 (NKJV)
10 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan:
11 You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’—
12 to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land.
13 Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’”’
Gog will devise an evil plan to invade Israel, drawn by the nation’s prosperity and lack of defense fortifications. The invaders see Israel’s wealth as an opportunity for plunder, intending to exploit the peace and security of its people. Other nations, including Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshish, question Gog’s motives, highlighting the sense of greed and ambition driving the invasion. This conflict is portrayed as an unjust assault on a peaceful people.
Ezekiel 38:14-16 (NKJV)
14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it?
15 Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army.
16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.”’
God reveals that Gog’s invasion is ultimately part of His plan to reveal His power to the nations. Though Gog and his allies will come with overwhelming force, covering the land like a cloud, God will use this conflict to sanctify His name. By orchestrating this event, God intends to show the world His authority and commitment to His people.
Ezekiel 38:17-20 (NKJV)
17 Thus says the Lord God: “Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them?
18 And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord God, “that My fury will show in My face.
19 For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel,
20 so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’
God affirms that this invasion by Gog fulfills earlier prophecies about Israel’s enemies. When Gog attacks, God’s anger will be stirred, leading to a dramatic response—a great earthquake that shakes the land and impacts all creation. This act signifies divine judgment and serves as a powerful demonstration of God’s wrath against those who threaten His people.
Ezekiel 38:21-23 (NKJV)
21 I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord God. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother.
22 And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.
23 Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”’
In the climax of the prophecy, God declares that He will defeat Gog and his allies through supernatural means: pestilence, bloodshed, hailstones, fire, and brimstone. The confusion among the enemy forces will lead to self-destruction, highlighting God’s power. This judgment serves as a witness to the nations, affirming God’s identity as the Lord, protecting His people, and sanctifying His name among all.