Ezekiel 38:1-6: a reflection

1The LORD’s word came to me, saying, 2“Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3and say, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Behold, I am against you, Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4I will turn you around, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, with all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords; 5Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6Gomer, and all his hordes; the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts of the north, and all his hordes—even many peoples with you.

In the prophecy against Gog, a menacing power gathered from many nations, God speaks a word that shows who is really in control. Even of this great hostile array, God says, I will turn you around, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, with all your army. The terrifying enemy, for all its hordes and armor and weapons, is under God's control, led out by hooks in its jaws, brought where God determines. What looks like an unstoppable menace is, in fact, on God's leash; its very coming serves God's purposes, and it is drawn out by him toward the defeat he has appointed.

Notice who controls even the menacing enemy: God, who puts hooks in its jaws. Gog and his hordes looked like an overwhelming, unstoppable force; but God speaks of leading them out with hooks in their jaws, bringing them where he wills. The great hostile power was not beyond God's control; it was on his leash, its movements subject to his purpose. Even its threatening advance served God's ends, drawing it toward the defeat he had appointed. What terrified by its size and menace was, at a deeper level, controlled by God, made to serve his purposes even in its hostility. The enemy was not the master of events; God was.

That is worth taking to heart, for even the menacing powers that threaten us are under God's control, made to serve his purposes. We can be terrified by hostile powers that seem unstoppable, overwhelming, beyond any control; but God spoke of putting hooks in the jaws of Gog and leading him out, showing that even the great menace was on his leash. The powers that threaten us are not beyond God's control; he can restrain and direct them, and make even their hostility serve his purposes. When a menacing power terrifies you by its size and hostility, remember that God controls even it, and can make its very threat serve his purposes. Trust that even the menacing powers that threaten you are under God's control, on his leash, made to serve his purposes, as God spoke of putting hooks in the jaws of Gog and leading him out; for no hostile power is beyond God's control, and he can direct even the enemy's threat toward the ends and the victory he has appointed.

Lord, in the prophecy against Gog, a menacing power gathered from many nations, you speak a word that shows who is really in control. Even of this great hostile array, you say, I will turn you around, and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, with all your army. The terrifying enemy, for all its hordes and armor and weapons, is under your control, led out by hooks in its jaws, brought where you determine. What looks like an unstoppable menace is, in fact, on your leash; its very coming serves your purposes. Show me who controls even the menacing enemy: you, who put hooks in its jaws. Gog and his hordes looked like an overwhelming, unstoppable force; but you speak of leading them out with hooks in their jaws, bringing them where you will. The great hostile power was not beyond your control; it was on your leash, its movements subject to your purpose. Even its threatening advance served your ends. What terrified by its size and menace was, at a deeper level, controlled by you. The enemy was not the master of events; you were. Take that to my heart, for even the menacing powers that threaten me are under your control, made to serve your purposes. I can be terrified by hostile powers that seem unstoppable, overwhelming, beyond any control; but you spoke of putting hooks in the jaws of Gog. The powers that threaten me are not beyond your control. When a menacing power terrifies me by its size and hostility, help me remember that you control even it, Lord, and can make its very threat serve your purposes. Help me trust that even the menacing powers that threaten me are on your leash, directed toward the ends and the victory you have appointed.