Ezekiel 38 and 39

 

 

 

Ezekiel 38 and 39

Where does it fit?

A prophecy yet to be fulfilled?

Not from where we sit.

 

A restoration of Israel

At the end of time?

In the light of Holy Scripture

Nothing of this kind.

 

A modern day battle?

It does not appear so

For when we take a careful look

It surely does not show.

 

Note the weapons used:

Not of modern day,

Chariots, horses, bows and spears?

Definitely not, no way!

 

This cannot be a war

To be fought in modern days,

Modern day weapons are far superior

In so many different ways.

 

They are more powerful

And much more accurate,

They are far more long range

And can obliterate.

 

There are some, however,

That attempt to convert

The ancient weapons to modern day

But this does not work.

 

Chariots may be tanks

Horses as horsepower,

Arrows and spears are missiles

A bow: a missile launcher.

 

Very clever I would say

But far from making sense

Since God is sharing with Ezekiel

Regarding Israel’s defense.

 

Notice too, the spoils:

Gold, silver, goods and cattle;

Not likely to be the spoils taken

In a modern-day battle.

 

If not in our future

Where does this battle fit?

A reading of the book of Esther

Should be adequate.

 

 

Taken captive to Babylon

Most of Israel not all,

But the Persian empire took over

After the Babylonian fall.

 

Seventy years in exile

The Israelites had been

When Haman, on becoming a prince

Tried to wipe them off the scene.

 

First Queen Esther

And her uncle, Mordecai,

Then all the Jews in the Persian empire;

Each one was to die.

 

Haman built the gallows

On which to hang Mordecai

Not knowing with a twist of fate,

On it he would die.

 

Esther 8:11-12

 

A decree was given

To slaughter Israel’s foes

And throughout the Persian Empire

They were taken out in droves.

 

Thus ended Haman’s plot

To commit genocide

When God intervened on Israel’s behalf

Miraculously turning the tide.

 

Compare Ezra 1 verse 4

With Ezekiel 38:13,

The exact same spoils are itemized

Implying the same scene.

 

In both, the same spoils:

Gold, silver, goods and cattle;

For sure these won’t be the spoils taken

In a modern-day battle.

 

Ezekiel 38 and 39

Have already passed

And the proof this is a future battle

Disappears quite fast.

 

Stewart Russell © July 20, 2024