And I will turn thee back and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: ~ Ezekiel 39:2 38:1-39:29. These two chapters must be taken as a unit but can be divided into two main sections: the invasion of Gog and Magog (38:1-16) and the judgment on Gog and Magog (38:17-39:29). Several uncertainties surround the translation and identification of the key words in verse 2. The Hebrew word ro sh is usually translated head and accordingly is rendered here adjectivally, chief (chief prince). Some expositors have taken this word as a reference to a country known as Rashu (or Reshu), an ancient land along the Tigris River often mentioned the the Assyrian Annals. Others have identified ro sh with a people known as the Rus who were connected with the Scythians and lived in the region of the Taurus Mountains in what is present-day Turkey. Some have associated the word with Russia, but this is accomplished only through resemblances in spelling or sound. In accordance with known naming practices in the ancient Near East, the word might also be treated as part of a compound name Rosh Meshech--although no historical confirmation of such a place currently exists. Meschech and Tubal are general connected with people who were known to have lived in ancient Anatolia, modern Turkey. Thus, Tabal (Tubal) lay north of Cilicia in eastern Anatolia and Meschech names the ancient Mushki who lived in central Anatolia. Both kingdoms are known to have opposed the Assyrian forces of the eighth century B.C. The king of Mushki, Mita, has been linked with the famous King Midas, whose touch turned everything to gold. Gog and Magog (1 Chr. 1:5) have not been identified with certainty. Magog was the son of Japheth, and the grandson of Noah (Gen. 10:2). Some have connected Gog with a Lydian king in western Anatolia named Gyges, and Magog with the Anatolian Scythians. there has been no end of suggestions as to the identity of Gog and Magog throughout the history of the church (especially Tartars and Turks). The fact that all of the peoples and nations mentioned here lay north of Israel harmonizes well with the uniform predictions of the prophets that in eschatological times enemy forces from the north will descend upon Gods people and land. Many contemporary Bible scholars identify the source of that future attack as Russia. the precise time of that invasion has been variously understood as : (1) toward the end of the present age; (2) during the Tribulation period; (3) after Christs return but before the Millennium; or (4) after the millennial reign of Christ. Regarding the last view, because Gog and Magog are mentioned as combatants in a war at the end of the Millennium (Rev. 20:7-9), many have identified the two battles in Ezekiel and Revelation as one and the same. However, the events following the battles are quite different, as are the events preceding each battle. In Ezekiels prophecy, the battle of Gog and Magog is used by God to draw Israel to Himself; in Revelation the battle of Gog and Magog comes after God has drawn His people to Himself for one thousand years of blessing during the Millennium. Therefore, it seems best to place Ezekiels battle in the Great Tribulation. Magogs allies are listed as Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, Libya, and the tribes of Turkey and Armenia: Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Togarmah. The battle itself is described in some detail, including the defeat of Gog (38:17-39:8), the physical aftereffects of the war (39:9-20), and the spiritual results of the war (39:21-29). The last mentioned effect is twofold: the heathen shall see my [Gods] judgment (39:21), and the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward (39:22).
Posted on: Wed, 02 Jul 2014 17:44:30 +0000
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