Set Your Face Against Gog, of the land of Magog,
the Chief Prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal
Ezeki’el 38: 1-6
Set your face against God, of the land of Magog, the Chief Prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal DIG: What is the fate of Meshech and Tubal in Ezeki’el 32:26? What country are Rosh, Meshech and Tubal in today? What other nations are a part of the alliance? Where do all these other nations come from? What does this infer?
Concerning the question, who, here Ezeki’el named those involved in the invasion.
The word of God came to Ezeki’el to introduce a new prophecy. Son of man, set your face, or prophesy, against Gog (Ezeki’el 38:1-2). Gog is not a proper name, but the title of the king of the land of Magog, just like pharaoh is not a proper name, but the title for the king of Egypt. Gog is a shortened form of Magog. In Genesis 10:2 we learn that Magog was the second son of Japheth. He and his descendants lived between the Black and Caspian Seas in what is today southern European Russia. The rabbis had a name for this leader. They called him Armilus, who is the offspring of Satan and a virgin. They teach that Armilus is the anti-Messiah who will deceive the whole world into believing he is God and will reign over the entire world in the last days.
Besides being the king of Magog, Gog was also the chief prince of three other territories, Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.
First, he is the chief prince of Rosh. Some versions of the Bible do not translate this word to mean Rosh, but rather head prince or chief prince. The problem with that is that Rosh is a place, not a person. The rabbis generally understood these prophecies to refer to Russia. Rosh was in the northern part of European Russia. In fact our modern word Russia, stems from the root word Rosh.
Secondly, Gog will be the chief prince of Meshech. In Genesis 10:2 we also learn that Meshech was another son of Japheth. His descendents are mentioned in Ezeki’el 27:13 and Ezeki’el 32:26. Meshech eventually became known as Moscow. The consonants are similar in both names: Meshech, M . . . sk sound and Moscow, M . . . sk sound. Meshech was also in the northern part of European Russia.
Thirdly, he will also be the chief prince of Tubal. Again, we learn from Genesis 10:2 that Tubal was a third son of Japheth. He is also mentioned along with his brother Meshech in Ezeki’el 27:13 and Ezeki’el 32:26. Tubal is today the modern Russian city of Tobolsk, the capital city of Siberia, which is the Asian part of Russia. It is also the city where the communists assassinated Czar Nicholas and his family. Therefore, Gog was not only the king of Magog, but also the chief prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. Therefore, all these areas are in modern Russia.
According to the rabbis, Armilus will lead a hostile army against Isra’el before the coming of the Messiah, the Son of David. It is also the war in which the Messiah, the Son of Joseph will be killed. Their theology is rooted in the difficulty they had in interpreting some prophecies that refer to a suffering and dying Messiah on the one hand, and conquering and reigning Messiah. Believers understand that Christ will have two comings. But because Judaism rejects the concept of two separate comings, the Rabbis invented a concept of two separate Messiah’s. The first Messiah would be called Messiah the Son of Joseph. They believed He would come to make war against Armilus only to be killed. In their view, when Messiah son of Joseph died He will have fulfilled the suffering passages. Then Armilus would bring much distress upon Isra’el. However, the rabbis teach that later the second Messiah would come. They say He will be called Messiah Son of David who will fulfill the reigning passages. They teach that He will kill Armilus, the anti-Messiah, along with his alliance then set up the Messianic Kingdom. At that point the rabbis believe that the second Messiah, Messiah son of David, will bring the first Messiah, Messiah son of Joseph, back to life.
In the next two verses we see divine opposition. This is what ADONAI Elohim says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. Gog will be diverted away from a planned attack. He will plan an attack in one direction, perhaps toward the north. But God declares: I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws. The LORD is pictured as being so much in control that Gog can do nothing else. As a wild beast is turned around from his natural desire for prey, so Gog will be seduced from his initial purpose. ADONAI Elohim will bring this invasion about, saying: I will bring you out with your whole army – your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords (Ezeki’el 38:3-4). The mention of horses and horsemen is not to mean that the army would consist primarily of cavalry. But how else could an ancient writer have described modern warfare? He knew nothing of planes and guns.131
There will be other nations allied with Gog in this invasion. Ezeki’el mentions Persia, who was also a son of Japheth. Today this is modern Iran, which is north of Isra’el. The prophet also mentions Cush, who was the son of Ham (Genesis 10:6). Cush is Ethiopia today. Then the Holy Spirit mentions that Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets (Ezeki’el 38:5). Put is the son of Ham (see the commentary on Genesis, to see link click Di – The Line of Ham), and is known as Somalia today. Put and Cush are south of Isra’el. All three nations, Persia, Cush and Put will join the invaders from the north and will be prepared for war.
Finally, the list of invaders is completed with the reference to Gomer and Beth Togarmah with all their troops. Gomer is the son of Japheth (Genesis 10:2). His descendants were found along the Danube and Rhine, later forming the German people. Beth Togarmah became the Armenians from the far north (Ezeki’el 38:6). Togarmah was the son of Gomer and the grandson of Japheth (Genesis 10:3). Looking at any map, if you go directly north from Yerushalayim, you will find Moscow.
Consequently, the alliance will consist of Russians, Germans, Armenians, Ethiopians, Iranians and Somalians. These many nations will be numerous indeed. They will all be summoned by Gog, or as the rabbis teach, Armilus and gathered together for an attack upon God’s people. The chief prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal will ignore the ominous warning from ADONAI, commander of heavens armies (Joshua 5:14a): Whoever touches Zion touches the apple of My eye (Zechariah 2:8). If ever an invasion could succeed because of superior numbers, this would be it. But there is more to the story.
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise your Almighty power, wisdom and your love for Your firstborn Isra’el (Exodus 4:22). Praise You that You know the future and have already planned how You will rescue Isra’el when Russia and the other nations come against it. In that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel” – it is a declaration of ADONAI – “My fury will rise up in My nostrils. In My jealousy and the fire of My wrath I have spoken! Surely in that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Isra’el. . . I will punish him with pestilence and blood. I will pour out rain on him, on his troops and on the many peoples with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone. So, I will magnify and sanctify Myself. I will make Myself known in the eyes of many nations, and they will know that I am ADONAI” (Ezekiel 38:18-19, 22-23). What a comfort to trust You at all times – even in times of war. You are Mighty and our loving Father! We love You and delight in pleasing You. In Your holy Son’s name and power of the resurrection. Amen
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