God’s fury – Be Still…

Ezekiel 39:1-24 – Good vs. Evil

Read Ezekiel 39:1-24

The episode of oracles involving Gog concludes here with God’s victory. However, Gog and Magog are mentioned again in Revelation 20. I find it curious that such a mystery exists around who Gog and Magog actually are. I think that’s because they are not real people but symbolic representations of something much bigger than two individuals or one individual and it’s land.

The mind can be boggled when you let yourself explore the vastness of God and his plans for his people. Ezekiel and his audience would have been confused, too, since scholars and teachers cannot concur on Gog’s identity. Continue reading “Ezekiel 39:1-24 – Good vs. Evil”

Ezekiel 38:1-23 – Gog Who?

Read Ezekiel 38:1-23

When I read the name Gog, my mind immediately went to video games and the digital platform by the same name. But in this case, God refers to someone he wants to contact. In fact, this is the first of two readings we’ll have in the “episode” about Gog.

Scholars have puzzled over who this “Gog” represents. Gog isn’t one of the “regular” enemies of God we read about. If not a particular historical person, then perhaps God was referring to Gog as a symbol for evil. Continue reading “Ezekiel 38:1-23 – Gog Who?”

Ezekiel 21:18-32 – Two Routes

Read Ezekiel 21:18-32

Interesting that God allowed the King of Babylon the choice between Rabbah and Jerusalem. God intended doom on both rebellious nations of people! The Babylonian king simply chose Jerusalem, just as the prophets had been saying he would for years.

But we learn that the Ammonites would be doomed to a similar downfall as well. They had family ties to Israel, but they had chosen to be on adversarial terms much of the time. The LORD would be protective of Israel or at least controlling Israel’s destiny. Israel had made their choice to remain a rebellious nation, and the Ammonites continue to bring strife to Israel, even after the return of the exile before God finishes them off using Judas Maccabeus in the 2^nd Century B.C. Continue reading “Ezekiel 21:18-32 – Two Routes”

Ezekiel 21:1-17 – The Sword of the Lord

Read Ezekiel 21:1-17

Both the righteous and the wicked would fall. If there were any believers left in Jerusalem, surely they’d flee at hearing these words. The sword of the Lord would have no mercy on them. As I understand it, this was not the “final” judgment being spoken of where the righteous are protected. But the words should still be a bit frightening and spur the believers into action.

Clearly, the LORD intended the severity of the sword would draw attention from the world. God wanted to make a bold statement that would reveal his power. Continue reading “Ezekiel 21:1-17 – The Sword of the Lord”

Ezekiel 20:1-26 – Obedience Gives Life

Read Ezekiel 20:1-26

What surprised you more—that leaders of Israel came to God for answers or that God refused to give them what they wanted? We’re not told who these men were or what their agenda really was. But Ezekiel was faithful and expected God to respond.

God’s response was more of a rebuke, putting those Israelites in their place. Just in case those leaders weren’t familiar with what had happened centuries before, they were now informed. It never ceases to amaze me how many chances God gave his rebellious people. Our human frailty would not have allowed us to be as patient. Continue reading “Ezekiel 20:1-26 – Obedience Gives Life”