Ezekiel

Ezekiel 38: God makes His holiness known

Begin in prayer

Before hearing the prophecy against Gog, let us bow before God's power over those who oppose Him. Pray that the Lord would settle our hearts, draw near to our family and show us Christ in Ezekiel 38.

In that day Yahweh will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who is feeble among them at that day will be like David, and David’s house will be like God, like Yahweh’s angel before them.

Zechariah 12:8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand Your rule over evil and see Jesus, who saves His people from the judgment their sins deserve. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God declares Himself against Gog and brings him out with a great army of allied peoples. They advance like a storm against Israel's people, gathered from the nations and dwelling securely. Gog forms an evil plan to plunder their livestock and goods, targeting unwalled villages. God says He brings the invader against His land to display His holiness before the nations. His wrath brings a great shaking, turns the invaders' swords against one another and judges them with plague, blood, rain, hail, fire and sulfur. Through this overthrow, many nations will know the LORD's greatness and holiness.

As you read Ezekiel 38, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God overthrows the enemy He brings against His people, making His greatness and holiness known among the nations.

God names Gog and his allied peoples as the enemy He Himself will bring against Israel. Hooks in the jaws picture His control over this vast army and its advance. Gog nevertheless forms his own evil plan, seeking plunder from people dwelling securely in unwalled villages. God declares that the invasion will display His holiness before the nations, giving the enemy's purpose an end beyond its intended gain. His wrath brings a shaking that reaches animals, people, mountains and walls. He calls for a sword, and the invaders turn their weapons against one another. Plague, blood, overflowing rain, hail, fire and sulfur make His judgment inescapable. The promised result is that many nations know the LORD through His revealed greatness and holiness.

How does Ezekiel 38 show us that God overthrows the enemy He brings against His people, making His greatness and holiness known among the nations?

God governs the enemy's advance.

God is against Gog, yet brings him out with his army and allies (verses 1 to 9). Hooks in the jaws picture His control. The great company advances like a storm against Israel's land.

God exposes the enemy's evil purpose.

Gog plans to plunder people dwelling securely without walls (verses 10 to 17). His desire for their goods is named. God brings him against His land to display His holiness before the nations.

God reveals His holiness through judgment.

God's wrath shakes the land and brings the invaders' swords against one another (verses 18 to 23). He judges with plague, blood, rain, hail, fire and sulfur. Many nations will know His greatness and holiness.

Memorize

I will magnify myself, and sanctify myself, and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that I am Yahweh.

Ezekiel 38:23

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what plan of mine disobeys God? Have I asked Jesus to forgive me?

God tells Gog, “I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me”. The invader seeks plunder, while God declares the holy purpose His judgment will accomplish. The army's strength cannot overturn His word. He makes His greatness known through the fall of those who oppose Him.

The holy God must judge sin, even the sin of His own people. Jesus stood in His people's place, carrying their guilt and enduring their punishment on the cross. He completed the work of redemption, and His sacrifice is enough to bring them peace with God. He rose from the grave, victorious over death and able to save those who come to Him.

Please repent of your sin and trust Jesus Christ. His forgiveness reaches every sinner who comes to Him in faith. Bring Him the plans you have formed against His commands. Ask Him to replace your pursuit of sinful gain with obedience to the Savior who gave Himself for His people.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God judges sin, and Jesus bore His people's punishment and rose to save them. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His holy rule and the saving work of Jesus, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Declare his glory among the nations, and his marvelous works among all the peoples.

1 Chronicles 16:24

Father, thank You for ruling over evil and making Your holiness known. Forgive our sinful plans and desire for gain at others' expense, and help each one turn from sin and trust Jesus. Please teach us to honor Your commands and seek the mercy Your Son secured through His death and resurrection. Amen.