Ezekiel 39:1-29
Q.1. What will happen to the kingdoms of Gog? Why will God bring Gog down? – (Ezk.39:1-8)
It makes most sense to see the participation of Gog and Magog identified in Ezekiel Chpts.38 & 39 as events preceding the Millennium [The Lord goes on to give Ezekiel detailed descriptions of the Millennium in the closing chapters of Ezekiel in Chpts.40-48]. Here Gog is the leader of the forces from Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal who come from north of Israel (Ezk.39:1-2 c.f. Gen.10:2-3). The armies will be struck down and fall in the open field and be cleaned up by scavenging birds (Ezk.39:3-5 c.f. Rev.19:17-18). Fire will destroy them and – they will know that I am the Lord. My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore … and the nations will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel (Ezk.39:6-7). God is emphatic in declaring that He will do what He says – for it is I who have spoken … behold it is coming and it shall be done … (Ezk.39:5 & 8). The battle at the conclusion of the Millennial Reign of Christ, will also involve the rebellious spirit of Gog and Magog. Ezekiel’s description of the clean-up will be unnecessary since there will be a new Heaven and a new earth (Rev.20:7-9 c.f. Rev.Chpts.21-22).
Q.2. How does the description of the destruction suggest that this is yet future? How does it vindicate God’s holy character? – (Ezk.39:9-24)
Israel will be dwelling safely in their cities in the land of Israel when this war breaks out (Ezk.38:8; 39:6-9). This had not happened from the time of Ezekiel, until Israel was regathered to the land in 1948. The nature of the carnage is like Armageddon, followed by a clean-up involving scavengers (Rev.16:13-21; 19:11-18 c.f. Ezk.39:17-20). It may describe the aftermath of a nuclear war where an area is isolated from normal usage and – Israel will go out and make fires with the weapons and burn them … for seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land (Ezk.39:9 & 12 c.f. Zech.14:12-15). The Lord told Ezekiel – 21 I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay on them. 22 From that day forward the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God. 23 And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So, I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. 24 I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid my face from them (Ezk.39:21-24 c.f. Rom.11:25-27). The wrath of man will be turned to praise of God.
Q.3. What is God’s plan for Israel? How is God’s treatment of Israel an encouragement to all believers? – (Ezk.39:25-29)
Israel suffered disgrace and humiliation when God drove them out of the Promised Land for their iniquities (Ezk.39:28-29). However, there will be an amazing turn-around – Therefore thus says the Lord God, “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 (Ezk.39:25). Israel will be gathered from the lands of their enemies to their own land. How will that be possible? God will give them a heart transplant – I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares the Lord God (Ezk.39:29). This sounds like a new day for the house of Israel.