It's a Trap for the Enemy

Could it be the very thing attacking you is God's plan to deliver you? The picture of Gog's downfall in Ezekiel 39 is a thing of beauty and an illustration of the ultimate blessed hope of the Church. 

Our world is against the faith. Of that, there can be no debate. Those who live in darkness love sin and refuse to come into the light. For reason of our faith, Jesus assured us we would be troubled by those who dwell in sin. 

Sometimes, it looks like sin is going to win. We are overcome, attacked on all sides. The inevitable is to come upon us. But God is not done. Just as it looked like the great nation of Gog and Magog were about to devour Israel, God assures her that the battle STILL belongs to Him. 

Ezekiel 39:1–2 (ESV) “And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. 2 And I will turn you about and drive you forward, and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel.

God brings them to attack Israel. But this is a setup! God will use this battle to destroy her. 
Ezekiel 39:3–6 (ESV) Then I will strike your bow from your left hand, and will make your arrows drop out of your right hand. 4 You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. 5 You shall fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. 6 I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the LORD.

The picture here is repeated in the themes of Revelation 19. 
Revelation 19:17–18 (ESV) Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.”

The great beast of this world, drenched in pride and defiance against God and His people, will be utterly cast down, overthrown by the power of God's voice. What seems to be against us is part of God's plan to save us. 

Notice the beautiful picture of Divine retribution and provision:
Ezekiel 39:9–10 (ESV) “Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs and spears; and they will make fires of them for seven years, 10 so that they will not need to take wood out of the field or cut down any out of the forests, for they will make their fires of the weapons. They will seize the spoil of those who despoiled them, and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord GOD.

Here, Israel will take the very weapons her enemies use and have them for firewood. They will heat their homes with the tools fashioned against her and she will have the respite of not gathering firewood in that season. Wow. 

Remember when Israel was cast out of Egypt with the spoils of their masters? So, too, Israel, In the final battle,     will experience the wealth of the nations who sought her demise. 

Ezekiel is a tough book to study. It shows the judgment and terror God inflicted upon His people. The exile and removal from their place of prominence. And yet the turn of hope again in the voice of her prophets. The end will be glorious. 

Ezekiel 39:25–27 (ESV) “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name. 26 They shall forget their shame and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when they dwell securely in their land with none to make them afraid, 27 when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies’ lands, and through them have vindicated my holiness in the sight of many nations.

We go to these prophets to remember that the end has yet to be written in our lives. Discipline and setbacks will happen. A chastisement from our Father is intended for our good. And that world that loves to cast dispersions upon us will one day be cast onto the ash heap of history. 

What the enemy intends for evil, God intends for our good.


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