Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 38

Verses 1-23

The final message concerning the nation dealt with matters far removed from the times of the prophet. In the dim distance he saw Gog of the land of Magog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, gathering against Israel. He saw them, however, gathering under divine compulsion to this very manifestation of antagonism, the message of Jehovah plainly declaring, "I will turn thee about and put hooks into thy jaws, and bring thee forth." This last antagonism would consist of a confederacy of Magog and other nations from the uttermost part of the earth. Their coming would be terrible, like a storm.

As the prophet looked into the future he saw the prophecy of Zechariah fulfilled in the case of Jerusalem, for she dwelt securely without walls, and was a city of villages. Against this safely-dwelling people a vast confederacy would move in malice. The prophet then showed that their coming ostensibly against Israel would really be a definite and positive act of rebellion against Jehovah. Therefore His wrath would proceed against them with the result so constantly referred to, that Jehovah would magnify Himself and sanctify Himself, and make Himself known in the eyes of many nations.