Israel's Future, Pt. 5

July 11th, 2025
by Lance Waldie

Ezekiel 39:11 “And I will make a vast graveyard for Gog and his hordes in the Valley of the Travelers, east of the Dead Sea. It will block the way of those who travel there, and they will change the name of the place to the Valley of Gog’s Hordes” (NLT).

In the aftermath of Gog’s defeat, along with his Muslim allies who surrounded Israel from the east, west, and south who will also be decimated by God in Gog’s battle, there will be a destruction of the weapons of war. According to Ezekiel 39:9, the people of Israel will take the weapons of war used against them and use them for fuel for seven years (v. 7). One wonders whether the weapons of war that are specified by Ezekiel—horses, swords, shields… bows… arrows… clubs… and spears (38:4–5; 39:9)—should be taken literally. Would a modern war be fought on horses, using clubs and arrows and later used for fuel for fires? Certainly the normal meaning of these words points to literal horses, clubs, etc. Either Ezekiel was using language for his day to be interpreted in the future, or perhaps by the time Gog invades, the world will have reverted back to more menial methods of war. If Gog’s invasion occurs during the Tribulation (cf. Matt. 24:6-8; Rev. 6), taking Ezekiel literally would make perfect sense.

Israel will thus ultimately benefit from Gog’s defeat, for she will use the spoil and weapons for fires, no longer needing to utilize her own timber on her land during what appears to be an era where technology has been devastated through the natural disasters decreed by God—like the “great earthquake” (38:19). Of course Gog and his armies will require a proper burial, and this will take place in “the valley of those who pass by east of the sea.” This is likely a referenced to the modern nation of Jordan, east of the Dead Sea. The vast number of the dead corpses will be so great that it will “block off those who would pass by” (v. 11). In fact, there will be so many corpses that v. 12 says it will take “seven months” to bury them all and cleanse the land of Israel. Also, men will still be needed after seven months, “men who will constantly pass through the land, burying those… left on the surface of the ground, in order to cleanse it” (v. 14). The process will be so massive that “a city” will be set up in the valley at the gravesites to lodge those cleansing the land. It will be named Hamonah—a form of the word “hordes,” as in Gog’s hordes. During those days, the wild animals will help with the cleanup of Gog’s dead hordes:

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Call all the birds and wild animals. Say to them: ‘Gather together for my great sacrificial feast. Come from far and near to the mountains of Israel, and there eat flesh and drink blood! Eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of princes as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all fattened animals from Bashan! Gorge yourselves with flesh until you are glutted; drink blood until you are drunk. This is the sacrificial feast I have prepared for you. Feast at my banquet table—feast on horses and charioteers, on mighty men and all kinds of valiant warriors’ ” (39:17-20, NLT).

At this point in the aftermath of Gog’s failed invasion of Israel, the nations will see the glory of Yahweh from His judgment on those who disregard Him and would dare to touch the apple of His eye, Israel (v. 21). Furthermore, it will be at this time that “the house of Israel will know that I am Yahweh their God from that day onward” (39:22; cf. v. 7). Clearly, God’s impressive defeat of Gog will force Israel to acknowledge His power. Then, at that time Yahweh will restore the remainder of the scattered Israelites from other nations. It appears that the timing of this event is at the end of the seven-year Tribulation. This will be when God finally brings “Jacob,” or Israel, back from their captivity of sin and shows Himself holy through them (v. 25; cf. 20:41; 28:22, 25; 36:23; 38:16). Then, God will pour out His Spirit on the house of Israel (cf. 36:27; 37:14; Joel 2:28). The final result of Gog’s failed invasion of Israel? Israel’s national repentance, reception of her Messiah, and spiritual restoration—all fulfilled in Christ’s millennial kingdom.

Food For Thought
Having a proper worldview is key to understanding the times. A worldview apart from God’s word (the Bible) is destined to failure, for all those out there today forecasting the future without an understanding of the Bible are doomed not only to failure in their forecasts but everlasting punishment for rejecting the God of the Bible—Jesus Christ our Lord. Truth is, God will ultimately neutralize all of Israel’s enemies in the end times, even Islam. If Gog’s invasion of Israel occurs prior to the first half of the Tribulation, as it appears it will, then his defeat will set up the Antichrist’s opportunity to seize control of the ten-nation confederacy at the mid-point of the Tribulation (cf. Rev. 13). When it all plays out is still a mystery, but that it will play out is absolutely certain. There will be peace, but prior to peace there will be natural disasters and wars that the world has never known nor anticipated. God has decreed all of this.