What is the context?
The Lord places the attack within what He has spoken through Israel’s prophets. The invasion will not catch Him unprepared or overturn His word.
His response is pictured on a vast scale. A great earthquake shakes the land; creatures and people tremble; mountains, cliffs and walls fall. The invaders turn their swords against one another, and the Lord brings plague, bloodshed, torrential rain, hailstones, fire and sulfur.
The account ends with the purpose of the judgment. The Lord will make His greatness and holiness known before many nations. The decisive action belongs to Him, rather than to a stronger army appearing on Israel’s side.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Cambridge understands the earlier prophetic warnings as describing this kind of attack without previously naming Gog. Henry emphasizes that the destruction makes God’s greatness and holiness known.
Wesley describes the great shaking as disturbance and tumult like an earthquake. The more direct reading takes the earthquake and other judgments as events God brings upon the invaders. Both readings place their defeat under His judgment rather than their opponents’ military skill.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
First Corinthians 15:20–28 places the defeat of God’s enemies within the larger hope secured by Christ’s resurrection. Christ reigns until His enemies are put under His feet, and the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Ezekiel shows a hostile army brought to nothing. Paul takes the hope further: those who belong to Christ will be raised, and Christ will hand the kingdom to God the Father after every opposing power has been overcome. God’s purpose reaches beyond surviving one invasion to the removal of death itself.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.