Bible Notes Online - Ezekiel 38 - ESV
Commentary

v1-6: The great army of many nations allied with Gog, from the land of Magog.

Having addressed the nation of Israel, Ezekiel now speaks of Israel’s enemy (Rev 20.8). The promises of God are opposed; Satan is the adversary, seeking to prevent the works of God being completed.

Chapters 38 and 39 may be divided into 7 oracles, each introduced by ‘the word of the Lord came to me,’ or similar.

v7-9: The great army is gathered against Israel;

  • the land recovered from war;
  • the people regathered to the land;
  • now dwelling in safety.

See Rev 19.19, which also describes a vast army gathered against Israel.

v10-11: The plan to attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people; compare Judg 18.7,28; Laish had no deliverer. But the alliance of Gentile nations will discover that Israel has a deliverer, even God Himself. It is difficult to find a time in Israel’s history which fits this description; the likelihood is therefore that Ezekiel is speaking of the far future.

v12-13: The expectation of plunder, for the resettled people of Israel will be rich, 36.29-30.

v14-16: The attack by Gog, directed by God Himself.

Since the attack is from the far north; and Gog is the prince of Rosh (v2, 3, margin); many identify the enemy as Russia.

v17: This is not the first time that God had referred to Gog; these words are apparently timed when Gog attacks, not at Ezekiel's time.

v18: Gog's attack will be the signal for God to act in judgment.

v19: A great earthquake in Israel.

v20: All people and animals will be terrified at the presence of God.

v21-23: The whole army of Gog defeated; the holiness and power of God manifested.