Ezekiel 39

We are both exhorted and encouraged to study the word of prophecy, not with a view of indulging curiosity, but of enforcing humility; to strengthen our faith, by enabling us so plainly to see the hand of Providence in the past and present, that we may believe the promises which relate to the future. As the present dispensation of the kingdom of the Messiah was practised in general and indefinite terms to the ancient Jews, so is the millennial period of the world predicted to us. As the Jew was called on to believe in those ages of the church, so is the Christian required to believe at present. As the former prophecies have been fulfilled, so will the latter be accomplished.” Chap. XXIX. Ver.

1—29. The defeat and utter destruction of Gog’s immense army.—The Prophet goes on to denounce the judgments of God against those formidable enemies of his church and people. He describes the awful slaughter and burial of the combined forces, in such lofty and comprehensive language, as must certainly imply one of the greatest and happiest revolutions that the world has ever witnessed. And to make the subject more impressive, the Prophet delays summoning the birds and beasts of prey to feast on the slain (in allusion to the custom of feasting on the remains of sacrifices) till after the greater multitudes are buried; to intimate that even these remains would be more than enough to satisfy the appetites of these rapacious creatures.

He then concludes as usual with a reference to the return of his people from their captivity, and promises a final restoration to all Israel. From a short view of this remarkable section of prophecy, it will appear, that it must refer to some event of extraordinary interest. The writer, full of his subject, sets it in all the verve of lights it will bear, and leaves no room for any one that shall come after him either to add or to improve; except, indeed, the inspired author of the Apocalypse, who in one sublime passage must be admitted to have excelled his model. (See (Revelation 19:17-18).)

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXXIX. Ver. 1. Gog.—See (Ezekiel 38:2-3). Ver. 2. I will turn thee back.—[It is probable that none of the invaders will escape: but perhaps the inhabitants of Magog in general are meant. The immense army of Gog, led forth against Israel, will almost come home to his land; and the subsequent judgments of God upon those that remain at home, will reduce them to a sixth of the whole.]—Bagster.—Leave but the sixth part of thee.—This is variously rendered, as may be seen in the margin. Newcome follows our version in the text, but remarks that the Chaldee reads, “to deceive.” So Rosenmuller, Dathe, Dimock, &c. Boothroyd translates, “I will turn thee or ped thee about.”——From the north parts.—Heb. ‘From the sides of the north.’

Ver. 6. I will send a fire.—{Some terrible [conflagration] will destroy the countries whence the army of Gog was led forth, about the same time that the army itself shall be cut off.}—Bagster.——Carelessly in the isles.—Newcome, “Securely in the sea-coasts.” Ver. 3. It is done.—(So (Revelation 16:17).) When God determines to do any thing, it may be considered as done; for ‘who hath resisted his will?’ (Daniel 4:35). (Romans 9:19). Ver. 9, Set on fire and burn.—(The language here employed seems to intimate, that the army of Gog will be cut off by miracle, as that of Sennacherib; for the people are described as going forth, not to fight and conquer, but merely to gather the spoil, and to destroy the weapons of war, as no longer of use.

|— Bagster.—The hand-staves.—Lowth, ‘Clubs.’——They shall burn them.—Margin, “Make a fire of them for seven years.” See note on (Isaiah 9:5).—{When the immense number and destruction of the invaders are considered, and also the little fuel comparatively which is necessary in warm climates, we may easily conceive of this being literally fulfilled. Mariana, in his History of Spain, says, that after the Spaniards had given that signal overthrow to the Saracens, A. D. 1212, they found such a vast quantity of lances, javelins, and such like, as served them for four years for fuel.}—Bagster. Ver. 11. On the east of the sea.—|Probably the valley near the sea of Gennesareth, as the Targum renders, and so called because it was the great road by which the merchants and traders from Syria and other Eastern countries went into Egypt.

Perhaps what is now called the plains of Haouran, south of Damascus.|—Bagster.—And it shall stop, &c.—That is, the heat and offensive smell of putrid carcasses shall prevent the passengers from coming near, till they are all buried. Hamon-gog—That is, the multitude of Gog. Ver. 13. A renown—That is, a credit, an honour, that they have interred them. Ver. 14. Men of continual employment.—Heb. ‘Men of continuance (or perseverance) in the employment.’ Ver. 16. Hamonah.—That is, the multitude. Ver. 17. Every feathered fowl.—Heb. ‘Fowl (or birds) of every wing.’ —To my sacrifice.—See (Isaiah 34:6). Ver. 19. Ye shall eat fat.—[Not the Jews, as Voltaire falsely and most maliciously asserted, but the fowls and beasts which God invites (ver.

17.) to partake of the sacrifice of his enemies.]—Bagster. Ver. 20. Filled at my table.—‘The table of God is the field covered with dead bodies, the place of the slaughter of Magog. It is impossible to conceive how unbelievers could quote this verse to prove that the Jews of old times did eat the flesh of horses and even of men. Voltaire, though cautioned, that not Jews, nor men, but wild beasts and birds, were invited to this feast of slaughter, (i.e. to the consumption of the slain,) yet insisted, to the last, on his strange accusation.’ Michaelis. Ver. 21. Horses and chariots.—Newcome, ‘Horses and their riders.’ So LXX., Syriac, Vulgate, and all modern translators. Ver. 25. Bring again the captivity.—[The return of a few Jews from Babylon, and their continuance, increase, partial reformation, and prosperity, till the days of Christ, followed by their present long continued dispersion, under the frown of God, and destitute of his Spirit, could in no degree answer to these predictions.

Hence we must conclude, that some future events, exactly suitable to them, shall yet take place relative to the nation of Israel.]—B. Ver. 28. Which caused them.—Heb. ‘By my causing them,’ &c.