To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.
You're planning to raid and plunder, targeting those empty places that people have rebuilt, going after folks who've gathered from different nations and built up their herds and businesses, living right in the heart of the land.
Some people see others rebuilding and thriving, and all they can think about is taking what isn't theirs.
📚 Historical Context
Ezekiel was a prophet during the Babylonian exile, speaking to the Jewish people about God's future plans for restoration and judgment on their enemies. In Ezekiel 38, this verse describes a prophetic invasion by Gog and his allies against a regathered and prosperous Israel, symbolizing God's protection over His people who have returned from the nations. This context fits into broader biblical themes of exile, return, and divine sovereignty over history.
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