View Ezekiel 38 in the note window.
The attempt of Gog and Magog on the land of Israel, ver. 1 - 13.
The terror occasioned thereby, ver. 14 - 20.
Their defeat by the immediate hand of God, ver. 21 - 23.
1: Saying - God now forewarns the Jews, what enemies and troubles
would interpose, before he would fully deliver them.
2: Gog - This cannot be one single person, or prince, though perhaps
it points out some one, by whom the troubles foretold were begun. Some
believe the time is still to come, wherein this prophecy is to be fulfilled.
And that it must intend those enemies of God's church who descended from
the Scythians, and are now masters of Cappadocia, Iberia, Armenia, or
are in confederacy with the Tartars, and those northern heathens. But
others think, all the enemies of Israel in all quarters, both open and
secret are here intended, and that the Antichristian forces and
combination, are what the prophet foretells. Magog - Magog is, at
least, part of Scythia, and comprehends Syria, in which was
Hierapolis. taken by the Scythians, and called of them
Scythopolis. It is that country, which now is in subjection to the
Turks, and may be extended thro' Asia minor, the countries of
Sarmatia, and many others, under more than one in succession of time.
And in the last time under some one active and daring prince, all
their power will be stirred up against Christians.
4: Handling swords - That is, very ready, expert and strong in using
the sword.
6: Gomer - Inhabitants of Galatia. Togarmah - Paphlagonia,
and Cappadocia. The north quarters - The more northern people,
the numerous Tartars.
7: Be thou prepared - God and the church deride this mighty
preparation.
8: After many days - In the latter days of the Messiah's kingdom
among men. In the later years - These must be cotemporary with the many
days already mentioned. Thou - Gog with all thy numbers.
The land - The land of the Jews, a people recovered from captivity,
into which the sword of their enemy had brought them.
Always waste - It is already two thousand four hundred years since the
ten tribes were carried away by Salmanezer.
But it - The land of Canaan, that is, the people of it.
11: Unwalled - Weak, and without any considerable defences.
13: Sheba - This Sheba was southward, and contains all of that
coast which assisted Gog. Dedan - By these are noted, the eastern
nations that assisted. Tarshish - The inhabitants of the sea - coast
westward, and Magog north. The young lions - Young men thirsty of
blood, but more of spoil, resolve to join, if they may rob and spoil
for themselves. Art thou come - This repeated enquiry seems to be an
agreement to come to his assistance, on condition they might have,
possess, and carry away what they seize.
14: Know it - Thou wilt be informed of it.
15: The north parts - From Scythia, from the Euxine and
Caspian seas, and countries thereabouts.
16: I will bring - I will permit thee to come.
Sanctified - Confessed to be a great God over all, a gracious and faithful
God to his people, and a dreadful enemy and avenger against the wicked.
Before - ln the sight of all the heathen that are with Gog, and much
more in the sight of God's own people.
17: Spoken - All these enterprises I have spoken of, and will as well
defeat as I did foretel them.
19: For - For my own people, and for mine own glory.
Have I spoken - Against mine enemies Gog, and all his herd.
A great shaking - A great disturbance and tumult, like an earthquake.
21: Sword - Israel. Throughout - From all parts of the land,
which was full of mountains. Every man's sword - As it was in
Jehoshaphat's time; and these swords may be meant by the sword
God will call for through all, for they ranged all over his mountains.
23: Magnify - Undeniably prove that I am the mighty, just, faithful,
wise, holy, and merciful God. Sanctify - Declare I am holy, and true to
my word.
