Gog and Magog

[Sung Psalm: 46]

What on earth are chapters 38-39 doing here? The key is found in 38:16 – In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.

Gog's purpose is plunder and spoil. God's purpose is to vindicate his holiness before the eyes of the nations.

In other words, it is not enough for Yahweh to be known as the God of Israel. It is not enough for Yahweh to be faithful to his promises to Israel and Judah. The restoration of his chosen people to the promised land with the holy sanctuary so that they will be my people and I will be among them as their God, is only the beginning of God's purposes!

The nations must come to know Yahweh.

And so therefore Yahweh will bring the nations against his chosen people in the promised land, so that through Gog, God will vindicate his holiness before their eyes.

We saw at the end of chapter 36 that restored Israel was to be like a flock of sheep for sacrifice. Now we will learn why!