July 28, 2023 - Ezekiel 38-39

The chapters on the ruler Gog and the nation of Magog. Lots written and lots speculated (I use that word intentionally) about the identification of these. Lest we get caught up in all the speculations, we need to follow the text carefully. The Lord says, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws . . . Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them” (38:3-5). God will come against Gog and destroy him, and God will be known as the Lord: “I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (38:23).

The key take-away? God is sovereign over all the nations even when those nations are powerful and their rulers think themselves invincible. Of course, God is also sovereign over Israel, and he determines that her end will be different than Magog’s: “Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name” (39:25). The nations would do well to heed the words of D. S. Warner.

God is sweeping through the nations

With an awful, searching eye;

Every spot of imperfection

Much be purged, or hope must die.

God is coming, O my brother,

Can you face the solemn day?

All the pure His angels gather,

The defiled become a prey. -- D. S. Warner (1893)