Ezekiel 39:17-29

content/bible_journal/ezekiel_39:17-29.md

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+title = "Ezekiel 39:17–29"
+date = "2023-06-30"
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+
+### [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.