The Bible reveals a powerful and detailed story about Yah’s relationship with His chosen people, Israel, and the role of the Gentile nations in the unfolding of history. From the start, Yah set Israel apart to be a light to the world—a people who would demonstrate His ways. Though Israel struggled to fulfill this calling and was eventually scattered throughout the earth, Yah’s plan continued. This scattering was not the end but part of a larger purpose that would bring about the judgment of the nations and the return of Yahusha. Now, let us explore further how the prophecies of Ezekiel 38, Zechariah 2, and Revelation connect, showing how the "hooks in the jaws" symbolize the greed of the nations, their final confrontation with Israel, and Yahusha’s ultimate return.
Yah’s Purpose for Israel and the Nations
Yah’s choice of Israel was intentional, as outlined in Exodus 19:5-6:
> "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:5-6, NIV).
Israel was to embody Yah’s laws and righteousness, serving as an example for other nations. This is further emphasized in Deuteronomy 4:6-8, where Yah explains that Israel’s obedience would cause other nations to admire their wisdom:
> "Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way Yahuah our Elohim is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?" (Deuteronomy 4:6-8, NIV).
However, Israel’s disobedience led to their scattering across the world, fulfilling the curses listed in Deuteronomy 28. Yet this scattering wasn’t without purpose. Even in exile, Yah used Israel’s situation to test the nations. Joel 3:2 reveals that Yah would hold the nations accountable for their treatment of His people:
> "I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land" (Joel 3:2, NIV).
Now, let us delve deeper into how this scattering sets the stage for the final confrontation between Israel and the nations, where Yah’s ultimate plan unfolds.
The Hook in the Jaws: Yah’s Setup for Judgment
Ezekiel 38:4 introduces the concept of Yah putting "hooks in the jaws" of the Gentile nations:
> "I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords" (Ezekiel 38:4, NIV).
The "hooks in the jaws" symbolize Yah’s sovereign control over these events, compelling the nations into a trap. They will be drawn into a final confrontation with Israel, motivated by greed. Ezekiel 38:12 describes their intent:
> "I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land" (Ezekiel 38:12, NIV).
Yah uses the nations’ desire to take what belongs to Israel to set them up for judgment. These nations believe that Israel is vulnerable, but their greed leads them into Yah’s righteous judgement.
Zechariah 2: Israel’s Restoration and Yah’s Protection
Zechariah 2:4-5 further develops this vision of Israel’s future state of peace and prosperity:
> "Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares Yahuah, ‘and I will be its glory within’" (Zechariah 2:4-5, NIV).
This prophecy shows Israel restored to their land, living without physical walls for defense, just as described in Ezekiel 38:11. Yah’s promise to be a "wall of fire" signifies His direct protection over His people. Just as Ezekiel’s prophecy describes nations rising against Israel for its wealth, Zechariah depicts Israel’s restored state of peace and prosperity. However, the nations, driven by greed, will attempt to seize this wealth.
This divine protection ties directly to Revelation 19, where Yahusha returns to defend Israel. Revelation 19:11-14 describes Yahusha leading the heavenly armies:
> "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war... The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean" (Revelation 19:11-14, NIV).
Yah’s promise to protect Israel in Zechariah parallels Yahusha’s return in Revelation, where He fights for His people, ensuring their survival against the nations.
Judgment on the Nations and Yahusha’s Return
Zechariah 2:8-9 delivers a clear message of judgment against the nations that have mistreated Israel:
> "For this is what Yahuah Almighty says: 'After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye—I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them'" (Zechariah 2:8-9, NIV).
Israel is described as the "apple of Yah’s eye," a term signifying how precious they are to Him. The nations that have harmed Israel will not escape judgment. This prophecy is echoed in Revelation 19:15, where Yahusha returns to judge and defeat these nations:
> "Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty" (Revelation 19:15, NIV).
Both Zechariah and Revelation emphasize that Yah’s vengeance will fall upon the nations that have mistreated His people, and Yahusha will lead this final act of divine justice.
Yahusha Dwelling Among His People: The Restoration Fulfilled
Zechariah 2:10-11 speaks of a future time when Yah will dwell among His people:
> "'Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,' declares Yahuah. 'Many nations will be joined with Yahuah in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that Yahuah Almighty has sent me to you'" (Zechariah 2:10-11, NIV).
This prophecy points to Yahusha’s return, when He will dwell with His people and establish His kingdom. This aligns with Revelation 21:3, where Yah’s eternal dwelling among His people is confirmed:
> "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God'" (Revelation 21:3, NIV).
Both Zechariah and Revelation promise a future where Yahusha returns to live among His people, bringing restoration and peace.
Conclusion: The Final Confrontation and Yah’s Sovereign Plan
The "hooks in the jaws" of the nations, as described in Ezekiel 38, are part of Yah’s ultimate plan to bring about judgment and restore His people. The nations, driven by greed and the desire for Israel’s wealth, will be lured into a final confrontation, but Yah will protect Israel. Zechariah 2 and Revelation confirm that Yah’s protection remains constant, with Yahusha’s return being the ultimate fulfillment of Yah’s promise to defend and restore His people.
The nations will be judged, Israel will be restored, and Yahusha will dwell among His people, completing the divine plan. The "hooks in the jaws" prophecy reminds us of Yah’s sovereign control over all events, guiding history toward its final conclusion, where His people are vindicated, and His kingdom is established forever.
Comments