Fire, &c.— ואשׁ vacish. 3 MSS. Syr. According to this reading we may translate, "And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood: and an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, and fire, and brimstone, will I rain upon him." Compare Revelation 20:8-9 where see Lowman, that the event may be literally fulfilled by a combination of enemies to the Christian name. It is plain, that the extraordinary circumstances mentioned Ezekiel 38:19-22 remain to be accomplished on the future enemies of the Jews, when his people are as a nation reinstated in God's favour.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, Various have been the conjectures concerning Gog and Magog; the former the king, the latter probably the kingdom: and as uncertain are the countries of Meshech and Tubal. Some suppose that they have a particular reference to the ravages of Antiochus, and other enemies of Israel, after their return from their captivity, &c. whilst others interpret them of the later enemies of God's church, particularly of the Turks and Tartars: (see the Annotations.) Whoever they are, their attempts shall issue in their own confusion, and God will glorify himself in judgment upon them.
1. God resolves to blast their enterprizes, great as their forces are, and terrible as their armament appears; and therefore his people need not fear, however threatening the danger. Note; They who have an omnipotent God for them, need not be concerned who are against them.
2. The confederacy against God's Israel is strong, and the army furnished with every weapon of war. Persia, Ethiopia, Lybia, Gomer, are auxiliaries; and under the conduct of Gog, their mighty general, as their guard and leader, are bidden, ironically, to prepare for the battle. The armament is directed against the land of Israel, against those who are brought back from the sword, recovered from their dispersion, and now dwelling safely, without fear of evil, without walls or gates, and therefore seem to be an easy prey to the invaders. Not doubting of his success, the neighbouring nations of Sheba and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish shall congratulate Gog on his certain victory, or it may be envying him the spoil that he is about to seize; or, as young lions, desirous to share it with him. Like a rising storm, he threatens to sweep all before him, and, sure of his prey, thinks of nothing but reducing the land to the former desolations from which it has now recovered. Such are the evil thoughts of this proud enemy, which God takes notice of, and for which he will punish him severely. Note; (1.) The beginning of all evil is from within; out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, and they produce wicked works. (2.) They who are most confident of success, are often most fearfully disappointed.
3. Whatever success may at first seem to follow the enemy, the issue will be fatal: after many days thou shalt be visited. Thus Antiochus, though he prevailed far, was at last brought low; and the Ottoman empire, which has arisen to such a height of power, but now begins to totter, will also soon be destroyed.
2nd, The prophesy is repeated to shew the certainty of the event.
1. The enemy shall hear of the peace and plenty that God's Israel enjoy, and how securely they dwell; and that shall induce him to come up, as secure of success; or, it may signify the vanity of his attempt: God will make him know that no foe can disturb those whom he causeth to dwell in safety. When God therefore brings him up, it is not for spoil, but to be himself for a prey; that the heathen may know the jealousy of the Lord over his people, and be confounded: and in judgment he will be glorified in the destruction of his enemies and theirs. Note; (1.) All must contribute to advance the glory of the divine perfections; even the wicked shall cause his righteousness to be exalted in their sufferings. (2.) He who touches God's believing people, touches the apple of his eye; and he will avenge their wrongs,
2. God hath of old time foretold the invasion, that his people might not count it strange when it should come in the latter days. Many things, probably, the prophet spoke by divine inspiration, which are not recorded: and by another name the same enemy here spoken of may have been intended, as Deuteronomy 32:42.Isaiah 27:1.Joel 3:1. Note; Into whatever troubles the church may fall, there is effectual security given in the prophetic word for the continuation of the work of God to the end of time.
3. The enemy shall be utterly destroyed: and terrible is the scene of havock here described. God's indignation rises at this insolent invader of his people, and flames of wrath flash from his eyes; in terrors at his frown the earth trembles; even the birds and beasts, as well as men, affrighted, quake; the mountains and precipices fall, and every fortress is laid in the dust: the swords of this terrible host shall be turned against each other, pestilence shall devour them, and blood in rivers flow; a storm of vengeance shall descend from heaven upon them, as upon Sodom; hailstones, fire and brimstone, and ruin, utter and fearful, shall overtake them. Note; (1.) They who have been a terror to others, God can easily make a terror to themselves. (2.) God cannot want instruments of vengeance: the very sword of his enemies shall turn its point against them when he so ordains, and they shall become their own executioners.
4. God will be glorified in the execution of these his judgments, and will display his power, justice, and truth, to the conviction of many nations, who shall be brought, by what they behold, to acknowledge him the only true God, and to ascribe to him the glory due unto his name.