Judgment on Gog
January 17, 2021
Commentary
This latter part of this chapter is a repetition of the former; the dream is doubled, for the thing is certain and to be very carefully regarded (vv. 14-23). God brings His people into danger and distress that he may have the honor of bringing about their deliverance, and suffers the enemies of his church to prevail awhile, though they profane his name by their sin, that he may have the honor of prevailing at last and sanctifying his own name in their ruin. In the destruction of sinners God makes it to appear that he is a great and holy God, and he will do so to eternity.
Sherba and Dedan (v. 13), great trading centers in Arabia seem to be saying to Gog, “Who are you to usurp our position as the world’s trade leaders?” These two would then join this confederacy. Tarshish was the leading trade center in the west at that time; many believe it was in Spain. God will directly intervene in the defense of Israel, unleashing severe natural disasters on the invaders from the north (vv. 17-23). The greatest military power in the world will not be able to stand when God lets loose His fury by causing mountains, valleys, and buildings to be leveled. Added to this will be floods, fire and brimstone through volcanic eruptions, and even confusion in the troops taking each other’s lives, perhaps as an escape from the holocaust of elements. Thus, God will be magnified, because it will be recognized that the Lord has done this. All those who set themselves against God will be destroyed. He says, I will do these things to show the world that I, the Lord am holy (v. 23).
Application
I want to be sure that sin is not tunneling under my Christian life, as ants did to the Corinthian pillars.
Ezekiel 38:13– 23 (NET)
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?”’
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 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. 16 You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud covering the earth. In future 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.
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? 18 On that day, when Gog invades the land of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord, my rage will mount up in my anger. 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. 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. 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. 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. 23 I will exalt and magnify myself; I will reveal myself before many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’