The mountainous region of Mount Seir is between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba.
We are all well aware of the prophecy recorded in Ezekiel 38 and 39 about a hoard of people who will come from the north and invade Israel. This hoard of people are identified as Gog and Magog, who are compelled by the hooks that Elohim puts into their jaws to cause them to make this invasion. And when they do flood into the beautiful Land, Elohim destroys them. And as Ezekiel 39 states, it will take a period of 7 months to bury the dead of the Gog and Magog army, plus Israel will be able to utilize the spoils of that war for a period of 7 years without having to dip into their own reserves. The finer details of this 7 year period can be found in the article titled “The Gog/Magog War – Results in 7 Years of Plenty?”
In contrast, the prophecies concerning the judgment of Esau, Edom and Mount Seir are not as well known, nor are we aware of the time when this judgment occurs.
But we can know. It happens at the same time as the Gog/Magog War.
Ezekiel 35 is a chapter dedicated to Elohim’s declaration about Mount Seir, the territorial home of Esau in the land of Edom. It is the wording in verse 2 towards Mount Seir that is strikingly similar to the wording of Ezekiel 38 against Gog and Magog.
Ezekiel 35:1-3 says “Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it 3 and say to it, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, And I will stretch out My hand against you And make you a desolation and a waste.”
The words of Ezekiel 35 are exactly the same as the words which Elohim speaks against Gog and Magog. The only difference is the naming of the country and peoples whom Elohim declares to be against. Read them both and see the similarities. This is not a coincidence.
Ezekiel 38:1-4 “And the word of the Lord 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 3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.”
Since these two scriptures are very similar it is a significant clue that the judgment of Mount Seir which is Esau’s land in the southern region by Israel and the Gog/Magog war are connected and will most likely happen at the same time.
But having one piece of evidence is insufficient. Are there more Biblical clues? Yes! There are specific verses in Ezekiel 38 that list the nations who join with Gog and Magog. Two names are given that are from the south, these being Ethiopia and Libya.
In the days of Ezekiel, the countries of Ethiopia and Libya were not restrained to the borders we know today. Ethiopia, known as Cush in ancient times covered lands which today are known as Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the southern part of Egypt. Libya, known as Poot (or Phut) in ancient times represents a region of peoples of northern Africa – which during the time of Ezekiel could have theoretically included the area where modern countries such as Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and parts of Western Sahara, Morocco and western Egypt are now. So, due to their geography, they will not be coming from the north as will Gog and Magog with Gomer, Meshach and Tubal but instead will be coming into Israel from the south. This is where Mount Seir is located.
Further evidence about the timing of the judgment of Mount Seir is found in Ezekiel 29, 30, 31 and 32 concerning the lament or mourning of Egypt's judgment. Ezekiel 29:3 uses the same wording against Egypt as is used for Mt. Seir (Ezekiel 35) and for Gog (Ezekiel 38). Again, this is not a coincidence, but a point of connection concerning the outcome of these three people's (along with their cohorts) to indicate that their judgment will happen within the same time frame. Another point is that the nations listed with the declaration of the downfall of Egypt are also listed with the judgment against Gog and Magog. Those associated with Egypt are named in Ezekiel 32 and include Assyria, Elam (an eastern province in Babylon/Persia), Meshech, Tubal and their hordes, Edom (Esau), the chiefs of the north and the Sidonians.
It is from Ezekiel 32 as well as Ezekiel 38:5-6 that we develop a broader picture of the nations involved. But it is from Ezekiel 32 (which directly names Edom) that we are able to make the connection of Edom or Esau (aka Mount Seir) with the nations who are associated with the Gog/Magog war.
Furthermore, there is other scriptures that adds confirmation. Jeremiah 49 also documents Elohim’s declaration of judgment against a number of nations and cities; those being Ammon, Edom, Damascus, Keslar, Hazor and Elam. Note that Edom is again mentioned. These are peoples and nations that are located in the same areas as those named in Ezekiel 32 and subsequently in Ezekiel 38.
As well there is the book of Obadiah, which itemizes more of the judgment that will come against Edom and also explains the reason for the judgment against Edom.
Location of the Gog and Magog and their co-horts mentioned in prophecy.
Since we know that Ezekiel 38 is about the intention to invade Israel by Gog/Magog, the names of the other nations have given us the clues necessary to know the extent of this invading army and the judgment that will be waged against them. The nations that are named in Ezekiel 38 are given as clues to look elsewhere for more information. When we look elsewhere, we find out that Ezekiel has given us these clues in previous chapters. When we tie in the information within these other chapters we develop a much clearer picture of what will be happening at the time of the Gog and Magog War. It is not only a time of judgment against Gog and Magog, but also against a whole group of other nations that had assaulted Israel over the centuries. This is when we find the connection to the timing of the judgment of Mount Seir, the capital of Edom which is Esau’s nation.
Thus, we can make the determination that the judgment of Esau will quite probably happen at the same time as when the Gog/Magog war takes place.
More details about the possible origins of Magog and some of their co-horts
Comentários