The present chapter describes the defeat of Evil and the triumph of God and His people. As the prophet predicted the advance of Evil under the figure of the invasion of an actual army; so he declares the overthrow of Evil by the figure of a host routed and slain, and the consequent purification of a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHIEF PRINCE - Or, “prince of Rosh.” AND LEAVE BUT THE SIXTH PART OF THEE - Or, and lead thee along (Septuagint and Vulgate).... [ Continue Reading ]
The judgment is extended to “the isles” (or, seacoast) to show that it should fall not only on Gog and his land, but on those who share Gog’s feelings of hatred and opposition to the kingdom of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
BURN THEM WITH FIRE - Or, “kindle fire with them;” or, as in the margin. The weapons of the army left on the field of battle shall be so numerous as to supply fuel for the people of the land for seven years. Seven was a number connected with cleansing after contact with the dead (Numbers 19:11 ff),... [ Continue Reading ]
The prophet pictures to himself some imaginary valley (compare Zechariah 14:5) at the “east of the sea,” the Dead Sea, a place frightful in its physical character, and admonitory of past judgments. He calls it “the valley of the passengers” (or, passers-by), because they who there lie buried were bu... [ Continue Reading ]
MEN OF CONTINUAL EMPLOYMENT - literally, as margin, i. e., men regularly appointed to this business. As the land of Israel represents figuratively the Church of Christ, the purification of that land is a proper part of the figure to indicate such a sanctification and cleansing of His Church, as Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
The purposes of the past dispensation shall be made clear to God’s people themselves and to the pagan. His judgments were the consequence of their sins; and these sins once abandoned, the favor of their God will return in yet more abundance. Ezekiel 39:29 Compare Acts 2:17. Peter distinctly approp... [ Continue Reading ]