Ezekiel 38

Ezekiel 38:2

GOg] Names of Scythian people this day, called Tartars, Genesis 10:2. this Prophecie may be referred partly to the desolations that befell the Jewes which returned from Babylon, by the King of Asia, and Syria, Dan. 8. 23. and 11. 31. And because that the Scythians had anciently overrun and possessed Asia minor, and Syria (whereof in Asia there was a city called Magog, and another in Syria, called Scitopolis) the Provinces have taken their names from this cruell and barbarous conquering Nation, to signifie the inhumanenesse of those Syrian Kings, Alexanders successors, towards the Jewes. But it is likely that besides this, the spirit of God did purpose to signifie a great oppression, which the Church is like to suffer, and especially the Jewes which shall be converted to Christ towards the latter end of the world, by the said Scythians or Tartars, as John seemes to point out, Revelation 20:8. Zach. 14. 2 The chiefe Prince] namely, A Province which commandeth those Provinces. See Genesis 10:2.

Ezekiel 38:4

I will turne thee backe] namely, After thou hast assaulted my people With all sorts] Or furnished and armed with compleat Armes.

Ezekiel 38:5

Ethiopia] Nations of Africa, joyned in this enterprize.

Ezekiel 38:6

Gomer] People of Asia, towards the North, Genesis 10:2-3.

Ezekiel 38:7

Be thou] An Ironicall kind of speech, as much as to say, Defend them if thou canst, from my power, and from the battell which I shall fight with them.

Ezekiel 38:8

Visited] Like an instrument or weapon which was laid up, and afterwards used to punish my people In the latter] A little before the comming of Christ in the flesh, in whom begins a new age; if this be meant by the Kings of Syria: But if this have a relation to the other great inundation of the Scythians, it meanes the times which shall be towards the latter end of the world Alwayes waste] that is to say, For a long time; likewise never to be restored to it former state.

Ezekiel 38:11

Villages] Where the inhabitants, either because of their continuall peace, or by reason of their fore-past miseries, have not cared, or have not had the meanes to wall and fortifie their cities, and therefore dwell in open villages.

Ezekiel 38:12

Turne thy hand] Renewing the ancient desolations of this poore countrey, restored from its ruines In the midst] the Italian, In the Navell] namely, In the heart of the land, where they shall thinke themseves more secure then if they dwelt upon the borders. See Judges 9:37.

Ezekiel 38:13

Sheba] These people of Arabia, and they that dwell upon the Sea-coast, shall come to thee to have part of the prey, and to buy the spoiles of thee The young Lyons] The pirats and robbers upon the Sea, who are like to wild Sea-beasts.

Ezekiel 38:16

Sanctified] When I shall have shewed my selfe glorious, venerable and terrible in sacred Majestie, by my judgements upon thee.

Ezekiel 38:17

Art thou] Seeing I have foretold thy comming, and thine endeavours; I must be acknowledged to be the director and moderator of them by my sacred Providence; which shall suffer these evills, but shall limit them, and cause the issue of them to be to my glory, and the comfort of my people In old time] We finde no such prophecies before the time of Ezechiel; and therefore the words old time, must be understood in comparison, not of the age in which the Prophet lived, but of the time wherein these prophecies were fulfilled The Prophets] namely, Ezekiel, in these two Chapters, Zech. chap. 14. and Saint John, Revelation 20:7 Against them] namely against my people.

Ezekiel 38:18

Shall come up] A humane kind of speech taken from men, whole nostrills puffe out when they are heated with anger.

Ezekiel 38:19

Shaking] All creatures shall be astonished and terrified at the presence of my glorious Majestie, when I punish mine enemies

Ezekiel 38:21

Asword] This was partly accomplished in the civill warres of the Kings of Syria, whereupon followed the ruine of their Empire.

Ezekiel 38:22

Will raine] I will cause a miraculous destruction and discomfiture to come upon them, termes taken from the deluge, the fire of Sodom, and Joshuahs haile, Joshua 10:11.