Gog and Allies Attack Israel
January 13, 2022
Commentary
In this passage we find, that in the future, nations and peoples will be banded together under the leadership of Gog (vv. 1-9 & Rev. 20:6) and come down from the North to invade Israel which will culminate in the battle of Armageddon. Gog seems to represent the military might of all the forces opposed to God. Especially during the years of communistic dominance in Russia and several countries in Eastern Europe I heard good pastors and well meaning Bible teachers say that Rosh, refers to Russia; Meshech, is Moscow; Tubal is Tobolsk and Gomer, is modern-day Germany. However, these interpretations seem to run counter to other contextual, geographical, historical, and linguistical data. More recently, several strong; arguments in opposition to this teaching have been brought to my attention. That being, there is no linguistic affinity between the terms. The etymologies of the words are different. Also, Tubal is actually geographically located in Asia Minor, not in Russia; Meshech is to be identified with Mushke, which is located in northwest Asia Minor, not modern-day Russia’s Moscow. Persia, is modern day Iran; and Togarmah, being what is named in modern times as Turkey or Armenia. These countries are located directly north of Israel and are presently dominated by Islam. We need to keep our eyes on these countries as God fulfills His prophetic time table.
What could possibly justify such an all-out military effort by this great northern confederacy that is described here? The text says To take a spoil (vv. 10-13). The development of Israel since 1948 has been phenomenal. It is also a known fact that the mineral wealth in the Dead Sea is of almost incalculable value! Much of it is used for production of fertilizer. These chemicals, together with modern technology in farming by irrigation and increasing amounts of natural rainfall, could make it to be the breadbasket for a large part of the world. Israel also stands at the crossroads of world commerce. Whoever controls Israel could control much more.
Application
I am so thankful that the Lord has saved me and I will not be on earth when this battle takes place.
Ezekiel 38:1– 12 (NET)
1 The Lord’s message came to me: 2 “Son of man, turn toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him 3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look, I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and bring you out with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all of them fully armed, a great company with shields of different types, all of them armed with swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Put are with them, all of them with shields and helmets. 6 They are joined by Gomer with all its troops, and by Beth Togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops—many peoples are with you.
7 “‘Be ready and stay ready, you and all your companies assembled around you, and be a guard for them. 8 After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come to a land restored from the ravages of war, from many peoples gathered on the mountains of Israel that had long been in ruins. Its people were brought out from the peoples, and all of them will be living securely. 9 You will advance; you will come like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the earth, you, all your troops, and the many other peoples with you.
10 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. 11 You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled towns; I will advance against those living quietly in security—all of them living without walls and barred gates— 12 to loot and plunder, to attack the inhabited ruins and the people gathered from the nations, who are acquiring cattle and goods, who live at the center of the earth.”
Illustration: The Jezreel Valley in History
Armageddon represents this entire strategic valley area in North Israel. It is the gateway through the mountains from the North to Jerusalem. Here Gideon defeated Midian (Judges 6:33). Here Saul died in battle fighting the Philistines; Saul and Jonathan died on Mt. Gilboa which is in the eastern portion of Megiddo’s Jezreel Valley (1 Samuel 31:1; 2 Samuel 1:6, 21). And here Josiah was slain fighting against Pharoah-Necho (2 Kings 23:29-30). (Lou Nicholes in Ezekiel, The Exiled Prophet).