Reflections on Ezekiel 38

Ezekiel 38 (Contemporary English Version)
1. The LORD said:
   
2. Ezekiel, son of man, condemn Gog, that wicked ruler of the kingdoms of Meshech and Tubal in the land of Magog. Tell him:
   
3. I, the LORD God, am your enemy,
   
4. and I will make you powerless! I will put a hook in your jaw and drag away both you and your large army. You command cavalry troops that wear heavy armor and carry shields and swords.
   
5. Your army includes soldiers from Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya,
   
6. as well as from Gomer and Beth-Togarmah in the north. Your army is enormous!
   
7. So keep your troops prepared to fight,
   
8. because in a few years, I will command you to invade Israel, a country that was ruined by war. It was deserted for a long time, but its people have returned from the foreign nations where they once lived. The Israelites now live in peace in the mountains of their own land.
   
9. But you and your army will attack them like a fierce thunderstorm and surround them like a cloud.
   
10. When that day comes, I know that you will have an evil plan
    
11. to take advantage of Israel, that weak and peaceful country where people live safely inside towns that have no walls or gates or locks.
    
12. You will rob the people in towns that were once a pile of rubble. These people lived as prisoners in foreign nations, but they have returned to Israel, the most important place in the world, and they own livestock and property.
    
13. The people of Sheba and Dedan, along with merchants from villages in southern Spain, will be your allies. They will want some of the silver and gold, as well as the livestock and property that your army takes from Israel.
    
14. I, the LORD God, know that when you see my people Israel living in peace,
    
15. you will lead your powerful cavalry from your kingdom in the north.
    
16. You will attack my people like a storm-cloud that covers their land. I will let you invade my country Israel, so that every nation on earth will know that I, the LORD, am holy.
    
17. The LORD said to Gog: Long ago, I had my prophets warn the people of Israel that someday I would send an enemy to attack them. You, Gog, are that enemy, and that day is coming.
    
18. When you invade Israel, I will become furious,
    
19. and in my anger I will send a terrible earthquake to shake Israel.
    
20. Every living thing on earth will tremble in fear of me--every fish and bird, every wild animal and reptile, and every human. Mountains will crumble, cliffs will fall, and cities will collapse.
    
21. I, the LORD, will make the mountains of Israel turn against you. Your troops will be so terrified that they will attack each other.
    
22. I will strike you with diseases and punish you with death. You and your army will be pounded with rainstorms, hailstones, and burning sulfur.
    
23. I will do these things to show the world that I, the LORD, am holy.
    
    

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    Chapter 37 speaks of restoration for Israel, providing hope for her future. Then as our reading progresses into chapter 38 it first appears as if God plans to destroy what He has restored. It tells of a leader by the name of Gog who is from the land of Magog and prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. The identity of these places is unclear. The army led by Gog will be huge, swarming over the land, on its way to destroy Israel. At the time of these events, Israel will be living at peace in unwalled villages, vulnerable to the attack of this huge army.
    
    But the God that is able to raise up a people from dry bones - as described in chapter 37 - is able to protect His people from this huge hoard as it advances "against My people Israel like a cloud covering the land." (38:16) In fact, these events will be orchestrated by God to judge Gog and his army and to demonstrate His power on behalf of His people. Israel will not have to protect herself for God will deal with this army. As it enters Israel there "will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel." (38:19) This earthquake will bring down the mountains and cause every living thing to tremble. Then the vast army of Gog will be struck with "torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone," (38:22) destroying it. In so doing, God will "display My greatness and holiness, and will reveal Myself in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD." (38:23)