Twice in Ezekiel 38 the Lord declares that He will show His holiness. Outside the context of this chapter, one might imagine different scenes than the ones portrayed here. One might conclude that the Lord’s holiness will appear as a bright cloud, a radiant rainbow, or a breathtaking sunrise. Those pictures are far from the imagery of His holiness in Ezekiel 38! In fact, what is described in Ezekiel 38 is absolutely frightening.
One portrayal of God’s holiness will come in the form of a mighty, conquering army. The army of Gog will descend upon Israel like a cloud covering the land. The Lord says, “In the latter days I will bring you against My land, that the nations may know Me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate My holiness before their eyes” (38:16).
The other portrayal of God’s holiness in this chapter is a devastating earthquake. Everything and everyone, from the birds of the air to the people on the earth, will quake at the presence of the Lord! The Lord says, “For in My jealousy and in My blazing wrath I declare, On that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel” (38:19).
Armies and earthquakes. Both are overwhelming and will overwhelm. Both are incontrollable and out-of-your-hands. Both will not be stopped but must be endured and waited out until they have finished. Both are frightening images of God’s manifested holiness. Why does God’s holiness appear in these forms? To judge sin and to uphold His name as the true God. If you deny Him, you will tremble at His approach. If you love Him, you will welcome His approach for when He vindicates His name, He saves His people (39:25-29)!
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