text: You Will Advance Against My People Isra'el
  
  Like a Cloud that Covers the Earth
  
  Ezeki'el 38: 14-16
  
  DIG: Is Isra'el really living in
  safety? Who is really behind the attack? What is the ultimate goal of Adonai ELOHIM?
  How does His goal
  differ from Gog's goal?
  
  Here the invasion is seen as having already begun, and further answers the
  question as to why, but this time it is seen from God’s point of view.
  
  The initial invasion against Isra'el begins and the alliance covers the land like
  a cloud. As a result, Russia will initially be successful. But without
  knowing it, Adonai ELOHIMwill put hooks in the jaws of the invading force and reel them in to
  destruction (Ezeki'el 38:4) so that He might be glorified in the eyes of
  the Gentile nations. This is not a set-up, however. God does not force innocent people into
  rebellion. He allows them to be destroyed by their own sin.
  
  Nowhere in the Bible can it be found that the LORD
  places in the heart of mankind any evil purpose. He is
  the Promoter of good and never evil. The TaNaKh always presents Him as ruler of all. Thus it is stated the
  He will
  bring the alliance against His own Land. They will be destroyed because
  of the wickedness that already existed in their own hearts. Adonai ELOHIM will merely use it
  for His own glory. It is like the heart of Thutmose III, Pharaoh at the time of
  the exodus. God did not implant pride and stubbornness into the heart of the
  Egyptian king, but He used the wickedness of Pharaoh’s own heart to glorify
  Himself and redeem Hispeople. Just as circumstances lay bare the evil of
  mankind, so the same conditions reveal the holiness of the LORD.
  
  GodHimself speaks to Gog, the leader of the
  alliance. Therefore, son of man, or Ezekiel, prophesyto Gog
  and say to him: This is what Adonai ELOHIM says. The
  phrase son of man introduces a new section. It is important to remember the
  emphatic repetition of the fact that Isra'el will be living in imagined security.
  In that day, when My people Israel are living in safety, will you not take
  notice of it (Ezeki'el 38:14)? Also, do not fail to notice the phrase My people,
  here and in verse 16, and the phrase My Land in verse 16. The godless alliance
  will have little understanding how involved the King of kings is in all that concerns
  His people and His Land. The godless have been, are, and always will
  be unaware of it. But that will all change when the LORDfinally decides to
  intervene decisively into world affairs to save Hispeople Isra'el.134
  
  Once again, Ezekiel is unfamiliar with modern warfare and describes the invading
  force with the only words he knows how to use. You will come from your place in
  the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a
  great horde, a mighty army (Ezeki'el 38:15).
  
  You will advance against My people Isra'el like a cloud
  that covers the land. That is the purpose of the massive invasion. In
  days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against My Land, so that the Gentile
  nations may know Me when I show Myself holy through you before their eyes
  (Ezeki'el 38:16). Adonai ELOHIM will be
  shown to be holy, or set apart, by His actions against Gog and the alliance.
  Therefore, while Gog will have his purpose, to plunder and loot,
  YHVH will have
  His purpose, to show Himself holy among the Gentile nations.