[[{“value”:”
Scripture reading – Ezekiel 38; Ezekiel 39
* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.
Today’s scripture reading is Ezekiel 38. Because Ezekiel 39 addresses the same subject and theme, I will also include it in this study. Students of Bible prophecy have long debated Ezekiel’s prophecies concerning Gog, the ruler of Magog, and their implications for Israel in the last days. There are various interpretations of today’s passage, and I will add my voice to the discussion or the confusion.
Remembering that many prophecies have both immediate application and far-reaching implications, I believe Ezekiel’s prophecies in today’s devotional address the decades and centuries following Israel’s return from the Babylonian captivity. However, I also suggest that the far-reaching implications of these prophecies concern the last days and foretell the gathering of the nations against Israel preceding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Whatever your interpretation, the lesson I draw from Ezekiel 38-39 is the loving oversight and compassion our LORD has for Israel, His chosen people.
Ezekiel 38
Introduction to the Prophecy Against Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38:1-3)
Ezekiel was commanded to prophesy against Gog, identified as the ruler of the land of Magog, for he was “the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38:1-2). Though Magog may be unfamiliar, it is an ancient name found in Genesis 10:2, where he is mentioned among the sons of Japheth (the third-born son of Noah).
Seven sons were born to Japheth: “Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras” (Genesis 10:2). Japheth’s lineage is generally associated with the ancient Persians, Greeks, and Romans. Bible scholars have long held that modern European and Asian nations are descendants of Japheth: Germans, Russians, Italians, French, Spanish, English, Chinese, Japanese, and Native Americans (who are believed to have settled in the Americas by crossing the Bering Land Bridge between Russia and Alaska).
Many have suggested that “Magog” is today’s Russia and that “Meshech and Tubal” are the modern Russian cities we know as Moscow and Tobolsk (Ezekiel 38:2). So, our Bible study opens with the “Lord God” commanding Ezekiel to declare, “Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38:3).
Gog and Magog’s Invasion and Attack on Israel (Ezekiel 38:4-15)
The LORD declared that He had set His face against Gog and said, “I will turn thee [Gog] back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords” (Ezekiel 38:4).
Several nations were foretold to align with Gog, the leader of Magog, who had resolved to wage war against Israel. These enemies of Israel are foretold to be “Persia [i.e., Iran], Ethiopia, and Libya…6Gomer [perhaps Germany], and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters [believed to be Turkey and Armenia], and all his bands: and many people with thee” (Genesis 38:4-6). (Today, those regions are steeped in Islam and are adversaries of Israel, including modern-day Germany, which has experienced a massive influx of militant Muslims from the Middle East in the past decade.)
If my interpretation is correct, Ezekiel prophesied that the LORD would one day employ Gog, the ruler of Magog [i.e., Russia], to mobilize a coalition of nations from the north against Israel. However, Ezekiel foretold that the LORD would bring Magog [i.e., Russia] and the other nations against Israel by figuratively “putting hooks in [his] jaws” (Ezekiel 38:4). Again, we see God’s sovereignty over the nations as He uses them to accomplish His divine purpose. Thus, the armies of Magog and its allies will descend upon Israel “like a storm…[and] like a cloud to cover the land” (Ezekiel 38:9).
All this evil against Israel will spring from the mind of Gog (Ezekiel 38:10-11) to make spoil of Israel, which Ezekiel foretold would be enjoying a season of peace and prosperity (Ezekiel 38:12-15).
Israel’s Response to the Invading Armies of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38:16-20)
Notice that Ezekiel prophesied that the LORD would assemble the nations against Israel; however, He had determined to destroy the armies gathered against His people (Ezekiel 38:16-18). Gog and his coalition of nations intend to destroy Israel; nevertheless, they will encounter the LORD’s wrath, who, in His jealousy, will inflict “a great shaking in the land of Israel” (Ezekiel 38:19). This upheaval will affect the entire earth and all its inhabitants. The catastrophic earthquake will cause mountains and fortresses to “fall to the ground” (Ezekiel 38:20).
The Defeat of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38:21-23)
After the great earthquake, a period of disorder will follow. The soldiers of Israel’s adversaries will turn on one another as “every man’s sword shall be against his brother” (Ezekiel 38:21). On that day, the LORD will send a “pestilence” (i.e., disease or pandemic), and rain, hail, fire, and brimstone will fall from the sky (Ezekiel 38:22). We are once again reminded that the LORD is sovereign, orchestrating the affairs of nature and nations so that He might be glorified and sanctified before the “eyes of many nations, and they shall know that [He is] the LORD” (Ezekiel 38:23).
As we conclude our study of Ezekiel 38, it is notable that there is no mention of Israel sending soldiers against the invading armies. Perhaps this is because the LORD has determined that He alone will be magnified before the nations.
Ezekiel 39 – Burying the Dead
The Defeat of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 39:1-20)
Our examination of Ezekiel 39 will be brief; however, I urge you to reflect on the magnitude of Israel’s enemies’ defeat. Once again, the LORD called to Ezekiel and said, “Son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal” (Ezekiel 39:1).
The LORD disclosed to Ezekiel the devastating defeat of Israel’s enemies, indicating that the corpses of her adversaries will cover the land and that birds and predators will feed on the dead (Ezekiel 39:4). Furthermore, the LORD’s wrath will be directed toward the land of Magog and its allies, and He will “send a fire” so that “they shall know that [He is] the LORD” (Ezekiel 39:5-6).
The LORD will not only make His holy name known to His people but also ensure that the heathen nations know that He is “the Holy One in Israel” (Ezekiel 39:7). Israel will gather the weapons of war and burn them for seven years to cleanse the land (Ezekiel 39:8-10). So many will have died that burying their bodies will take seven months (Ezekiel 39:14).
God’s Grace Extended to Israel (Ezekiel 39:21-29)
Throughout our study of Ezekiel, the LORD has stated one overarching purpose for His judgments: that His people and the nations would know He is God, the LORD and Sovereign of the earth. He desires that the heathen will see His glory as He executes His judgment (Ezekiel 39:21). It is also to the end that the “house of Israel shall know [and acknowledge] that [He is] the Lord their God from that day and forward” (Ezekiel 39:22; Ezekiel 39:28).
Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith
* Please subscribe to the Heart of a Shepherd daily devotionals by entering your name and email address at the bottom of today’s devotion.
The Internal Revenue Service recognizes Heart of A Shepherd Inc as a 501c3 public charitable organization. Your donation is welcome and supports the worldwide ministry outreach of www.HeartofAShepherd.com.
Heart of A Shepherd Inc.
7853 Gunn Highway
#131
Tampa, Florida 33626-1611
Heart of a Shepherd
A ministry of Pastor Travis D. Smith
Support Heart of a Shepherd
This ministry is made possible by the generous donations of our readers.
The post Israel and Her Adversaries: An Alliance of Russia, Iran, and the World (Ezekiel 38-39) appeared first on “From The Heart of A Shepherd” by Pastor Travis D. Smith.
“}]]
