United Commentaries

Ezek.38.1-39.29

The idyllic scene in ch 37 of the reunited nation living at peace in its own land gives way to gathering storm clouds in chs 38–39, a two-panel depiction of the assault, defeat, and disposal of the last enemy, Gog. Readers have long sought to identify Gog, who has sometimes been identified with Gyges, king of Lydia (about 680~644 BC). The biblical Gog, however, transcends historical categories; the text is less concerned with Gog’s identity than with the universal threat caused by the nations of the world. Yet even such an overwhelming force would be no serious threat to the restored people of God, for God was now dwelling in their midst. The symbolism of these chapters has much in common with psalms of Zion’s security (see, e.g., Pss 2, 46). If even a fearsome foe such as Gog could not separate God’s people from his protection, then surely nothing in all creation could do so.

Ezekiel’s account of Gog contains some of the characteristics of apocalyptic literature (see “Apocalyptic Literature” Theme Note).

Ezek.39.2

I will turn you around and drive you: The Lord would be bringing Gog against Israel in order to break him.

Ezek.39.3-4

This fearsome foe, Gog, would be left helpless; his corpse would be food for the vultures and wild animals, like that of Goliath (cp. 1 Sam 17:44-46).

Ezek.39.5-6

Gog’s homeland would be devastated, and the destruction his hordes and his allies who live safely had planned would return upon their own heads.

Ezek.39.7-8

God’s judgment on Gog would make known his holy name. Just as he once judged his own people for their sins for the sake of his reputation (36:16-20), now he would defend his restored people and judge their enemies.

Ezek.39.9-10

Israel would be called upon to act only after Gog had been completely defeated and destroyed. As in some of their great battles in the past, Israel would be able to watch the Lord act and then pick up the spoils (e.g., 2 Kgs 6:1–7:20; 2 Chr 20). Ironically, the only items to survive the fire from heaven that destroyed Gog’s army would be wooden weaponry that would now be fuel for Israel’s fires for seven years, a number that often represents completeness in the Old Testament. Those who came to plunder would become plunder. Their weapons would be unnecessary now that Israel’s last enemy had been destroyed.

Ezek.39.11

The people would need to gather the plunder and bury the bodies of the slain soldiers. These corpses would otherwise defile the holy land, for contact with a corpse made a person ritually unclean. There were so many of these corpses that a vast graveyard would be required, big enough to fill an entire valley that would now be known as the Valley of Gog’s Hordes.

Ezek.39.12-16

The body count would be so large that everyone in Israel would be involved in the clean-up process for seven months. Even after that initial period, there would be a continuing need for teams of professional morticians to go through the land, tagging remains so that they could be properly disposed of.

Ezek.39.17

God would also provide his own disposal team of birds and wild animals, which he would gather for his great sacrificial feast.

Ezek.39.18-20

In most sacrificial feasts, humans dined on slaughtered animals. This feast would allow animals to dine on slaughtered humans as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls. This reversal of the great messianic banquet (Isa 25:6) features the enemies of God as the menu rather than as the invited guests.

Ezek.39.21-24

The Lord will demonstrate his glory in all of history. He did so through the punishment of Israel during their exile because of their defilement and their sins.

Ezek.39.25-29

God would also demonstrate his glory through his people’s return home from exile in the lands of their enemies. Once God had exhausted his wrath upon them for their sins, he would bring them home again and leave none of them behind. He would pour out his Spirit upon the people of Israel, transforming them in order to prevent a recurrence of their former situation. He would never again turn his face from them. His future favor on his people was assured (cp. Rom 8:31-39).