Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 depict an epic, cosmic-scale battle between a great enemy, Gog of the land of Magog, and God himself, where we see God’s glory, power, sovereignty, justice, and judgment on full display. At first glance, these chapters may seem out of place in the flow of Ezekiel. Chapters 34-37 describe an arc of restoration and renewal for Israel that evokes acts of re-creation: God promises a new heart and a new spirit, brings dry bones back to life, and unites two sticks as one people again. This section climaxes with an incredible promise in Ezekiel 37:24-28.

Yet this promise raises an important question: If God’s people are to enjoy permanent residence, blessing, and peace in the restoration, what will be done about the ongoing struggle between good and evil? What will happen to those who continue to oppose God? Ezekiel 38 and 39 provide the answer.

The God we have a personal relationship with and serve is the God who ultimately defeats sin and evil. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, that victory has already begun, and one day Christ will return to complete it. Because of this, we are not meant to live overwhelmed by the evil we see in the world around us. Instead, we recognize that God wins, and in Christ, we share in that victory. This leads us to live faithfully in the present, trusting God fully and urgently sharing the gospel.