Steve
QUOTE: Ezek. 38:17, “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them?
Ezekiel chapters 38 & 39 speaks of Gog Magog invasion of Israel. In 38:17 says ” spoken in old times my servants the prophets…” Who spoke of this invasion before Ezekiel?—I can’t find it.
Do you know what this verse is referring to? When was the Gog Magog invasion spoken of before Ezekiel?
Jeff
MYREPLY
Jeff,
Two such biblical prophecies are found in Genesis 49 and Joel 2. Ezekiel was written circa 586 BC so the prophecies referenced in Ezekiel 38:17 have to pre-date Ezekiel’s book.
Genesis 49 is Jacob/Israel’s prophecy about the ten tribes of Israel in the latter days (the identical time setting as Ezekiel 38:8 & 16). Genesis 49:22 prophesies that Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) will be attacked by archers who shoot arrows (missiles) at Joseph’s lands in the latter days. Even as Ezekiel 38 shows God intervening to help Israel when it is attacked in the latter days, Genesis 49:22-25 prophesies God will help Joseph when it is attacked in the latter days. Since the name of “Israel” was placed upon Ephraim and Manasseh (the tribes of Joseph) in Genesis 48:16, the target of the Genesis 49:22-24 attack is the same as in Ezekiel 38. These prophesies are strikingly parallel to each other, and Genesis 49’s prophecy was written circa 1689 BC.
Joel 2 is another parallel prophecy. It describes a “northern army” (verse 20) which attacks “Israel” (verse 27) at a time when the Day of the Lord is “nigh at hand” (verse 1). This means during the latter days. Even as Ezekiel 38 shows God intervenes to rescue Israel, Joel 2 has the same theme. God’s people are commanded to pray for the rescue of the people of Israel in verse 17 and God intervenes in verses 18-20). Ezekiel 38:15 prophesies a northern army will attack Israel in the latter days and be rescued by Divine intervention. Joel was written circa 800 BC so it also predates Ezekiel’s prophecy.
Steve
