diff --git a/content/bible_journal/ezekiel_39:17-29.md b/content/bible_journal/ezekiel_39:17-29.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d457286 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/ezekiel_39:17-29.md @@ -0,0 +1,36 @@ ++++ +title = "Ezekiel 39:17–29" +date = "2023-06-30" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel39.17-29) + +When the Lord wipes out Gog's army, we have learned that it will take Israel +seven months to bury them all. In the meantime, the Lord will send all of the +birds and animals of the field to the site to feast upon the fallen warriors. +While this is gruesome to think about, it is actually a mercy because it will +prevent disease from spreading and the land from being corrupted with toxins +from decomposition. The Lord calls this a sacrificial feast, an upending of the +normal order of things. Normally, humans slaughter animals to burn their blood +and fat as an offering to the Lord, and eat the roasted meat with the priests. + +Because of what happened to Gog and his army, the Lord's glory will be +displayed to all the nations of the earth. Though Israel had sinned in the +past, causing the Lord to send them into exile, He will have mercy on them +again and restore their fortunes. They dwell in the land securely, and none +will be left behind among the other nations any more. + +It is because of verse 29 that I don't believe the modern State of Israel is +the fulfillment of this prophecy or any others talking about the restoration of +the house of Israel. It may be a precursor to such a fulfillment, or a symbol +of it, but it's not the final fulfillment. Unless I'm completely out of the +loop, I don't see a great pouring out of the Lord's Spirit upon the Jewish +people. Yet. I am sure it will happen some day, though. I know some have tried +to connect the Arab-Israeli War and the Six Day War with events in Biblical +prophecy, but you shouldn't have to squint and twist events to make them fit +the text. Biblical prophecies are _obvious_ after the fact, and completely +accurate. + +* * * + +Gracious and merciful are all Your ways, O Lord.