The story of Gog from the Land of Magog has fascinated Bible scholars for centuries. Some intriguing questions arise.
“Is the narrative about a future attack on the nation of Israel?
“Does the narrative fulfill current events in the twenty-first century?”
“Is there an event in history that would be a fulfillment of the events described: an invasion, a blood bath, months being needed to bury the dead?”
There is another option that might answer these questions. Keeping in mind that Ezekiel is a book of visions, it is possible the prophet simply gave a word of sharp warning to a coalition of armies that wanted to take advantage of a weaker nation. In the sixth century BC, there was war in the Middle East. Armies were on the march. One small nation seemed ripe to be plucked: Israel.
Under the reigns of David and then his son Solomon, Israel had grown to be rich, prosperous, well-armed, and well-fortified. In their arrogance and luxury, the people turned from obeying God and keeping His commandments. The kingdom of Israel split during the reign of Rehoboam. Suddenly, the one nation became two. The Assyrians took advantage of the Northern kingdom called Israel and pounced.
The southern kingdom called Judah was coveted by Nebuchadnezzar. There was a tremendous amount of gold in the Temple built by Solomon. Judah was weak. The armies of Nebuchadnezzar could seize the city of Jerusalem and conquer yet another territory.
A coalition of nations in the North of Israel received reports of turmoil. Perhaps there was an opportunity to take advantage of the fog of war and the chaos.
A man named Gog from the Land of Magog united with Meshech and Tubal, and perhaps others to consider invading Israel. It was a matter of timing.
When word of this possibility was revealed by God to Ezekiel, the Lord had a message for Gog and his allies. They were to stay out of the conflict.
Moreover, if Gog found Israel at rest and peaceful, they were not to try to take advantage of that situation either. Prosperity does lure a nation into moral and defensive carelessness. Gog and his allies were warned not to say, “I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely” (Ezek. 38:11), for the protective jealousy of God for His people would be aroused.
If Gog and his allies did not stay away from Israel, Ezekiel saw in a vision, with prophetic certainty, what God would do with this coalition. Ezekie’sl word of warning was very specific because he had the mind of God.
Step by step Ezekiel declares what God will do to Gog and his allies This prophetic certainty is predicated on comprehensive omniscience. “Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord God; this is the day whereof I have spoken” (Ezek. 39:8).
The LORD God knows not only what will happen, what does happen, what is happening, but also what could have happened.
Jesus established this truth when He revealed that if the gospel had been preached in Tyrer and Sidon, if mighty works had been done in those places, “they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matt. 11:21).
A Warning Message to Gog
“Gog, from the Land of Magog,” thus saith the Lord. “If you attack my people, this is what will happen; this is what I will do to you.”
- I will turn you back (Ezek. 38:4; 39:2).
- I will put hooks in your jaws (Ezek. 38:4).
- I will smite the bow out of your left hand (Ezek. 39:3).
- I will slay you in the open field (Ezek. 39:5).
- I will give you graves in Israel (Ezek. 39:11).
Proposition: Ezekiel’s Message to Gog not to interfere with Israel during her time of crisis harmonizes the conflicting views related to this prophesy.
First View: The prophesy remains futuristic.
Response: This position is untenable considering the method of warfare employed: horses, shields, bucklers, bows and arrows, spears, etc. (Ezekiel 38:4; 39:9).
Second View: The prophesy is currently being fulfilled with the Arab nations attacking. Many prophetic pundits advanced this view with every crisis in the Middle East, such as Operation Rising Lion (Epic Fury) in 2026.
Response: With patience the current crisis in the Middle East will be resolved for the past is a prelude to the future.
Third View: The prophesy has literally been fulfilled.
Response: Some find a historical fulfillment during the days of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. However, what happened during his reign, while interesting, finds no evidence to justify such a position.
Harmonizing View: An alternative explanation offered.
The prophesy of Ezekiel 38–39 has not been fulfilled historical, is not being fulfilled currently in the 21st century, and shall not be fulfilled in the future because there is no reason for it. The discussion can end. The debate is over.
Ezekiel’s message to Gog from the Land of Magog, God’s message for the allies of Gog, was taken to heart. The coalition fell apart. Neither Gog or his allies moved against Israel in the sixth century BC.
Only a warning principle remains, which is restated in the Revelation.
Any religious “beast” that seeks to do harm to God’s people shall be destroyed.
Any political warrior, nation, or “beast,” that seeks to do harm to God’s people shall be destroyed.
The Collected Works of Stanford E. Murrell 