Ezekiel 38 Commentary
Ezekiel is aware of the messages of the many prophets before him, particularly Isaiah. Verse 17. ‘Gog of the land of Magog’ is probably a code name for Ezekiel’s Babylon. If our guess is true, then the term Babylon itself is yet another code name for a yet-to-come world power.
The New Testament would use the term Babylon to refer to their day’s world power, probably Rome. 1 Peter 5 verse 13. The usage of code names isn’t a new inversion.
Ezekiel speaks about the future attack on God’s people. He hasn’t given us the reason for this attack. We know this attack comes after the LORD has gathered and settled Israel and there is peace. Verse 8. The absence of walls around Israel’s cities may suggest the thought of peace and safety. But could this really be the time of the Messiah? A time of restoration when ‘David’ rules? Or could this be an intervening period when the LORD provided temporal peace and safety for His people? Could it be all of these and possibly more?
The mixture of thoughts and the images used don’t come any more complex than this. Of course, this is Ezekiel’s specialty!
Verse 16 seems to suggest that the attack on God’s settled people has nothing to do with their wickedness. The LORD has itched for war and wants to lure His enemies into it. Then God’s people can enjoy the victory. It is a bonus result, otherwise, the LORD seeks to establish His name among the nations.
Looking at this chapter again, these events, probably scattered over history or wrapped up in time, who knows, are definitely elements of Ezekiel’s future but probably our own past, present, and future. For ‘Babylons’ have been many. They came and they went. They come and go.
One thing is clear: The LORD rises to protect His own people. Gog of Magog won’t have it his way forever. Evil is a temporal occurrence. It has an expiry date! Ultimately, the LORD wins, as always. Praise the LORD!
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