← Back to Ezekiel

Ezekiel 38

23 verses

TL;DR

Prophecy foretells a massive future invasion led by Gog from the north against Israel, resulting in divine judgment and the demonstration of God's power.

Summary

Ezekiel 38 is a prophetic declaration that a coalition of northern peoples, led by Gog of Magog, will assemble an armored army to attack Israel in the latter days. The Lord GOD warns that Gog will be drawn to Israel's unwalled cities, seeking plunder, but will ultimately be turned back by divine intervention. Gog’s forces are described in vivid detail, including their weapons and the various nations that join them. The prophecy predicts a catastrophic response: storms, hail, fire, brimstone, and pestilence will devastate the invaders, and Israel’s lands will shake as God's wrath is unleashed. In the midst of this judgment, the Lord will be glorified and known by all nations, affirming His sovereignty.

Outline
  1. 1. God’s command to Ezekiel to prophesy against Gog and the gathering of his forces
  2. 2. Description of Gog’s army and the nations involved
  3. 3. Divine judgment—storms, pestilence, and the glorification of God
Themes
Divine sovereignty and judgmentThe certainty of God's protective promise for IsraelThe role of prophetic witness
Keywords
GogIsraelLord GODarmyarmorstormpestilencehailstonesfirebrimstonedivine judgmentprophesy
People
GogMeshechTubalGomerTogarmahShebaDedanTarshishIsraelLord GODSon of manEzekiel
Places
MagogMeshechTubalGomerTogarmahShebaDedanTarshishIsraelland of unwalled villagesmountains of Israel
Things
army with armor, bucklers, shields, swordshooks in jawsstormcloudpestilenceoverflowing rainhailstonesfirebrimstonefishes of the seabirds of heavenbeasts of the field
Key Verses
  • Ezekiel 38:18: Declares the LORD’s wrath and the shaking of the earth
  • Ezekiel 38:20: Describes the widespread devastation that will accompany divine judgment
  • Ezekiel 38:22: Illustrates the multiple calamities—pestilence, hail, fire, brimstone—that will be poured upon the enemy
  • Ezekiel 38:23: Conveys the ultimate glorification of God through the demonstration of His power
Questions
  • What does the prophecy reveal about God’s view of national sovereignty?
  • How does the vivid imagery of natural disasters serve the prophetic message?
  • In what ways does this chapter affirm Israel’s security in the 'latter days'?
  • What is the significance of the repeated mention of 'unwalled villages'?
  • How does the description of the enemy’s forces reinforce the theme of divine protection?
Sentiment

negative
The text depicts imminent attack and judgment, portraying a warning and threat rather than comfort.