What Did the Bible Prophesy About Egypt Never Being Strong Again

(27-i) Introduction

After the fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel no longer spoke of God's judgments on his contemporaries but of Israel'southward redemption in the latter days. It was as though he had done all he could to stave off the destruction of his people, and when that was impossible and they were actually experiencing the suffering that captivity had imposed upon them, he turned their hearts to the future and the source of their ultimate hope in the Lord.

So Saints of the latter days should be most enthusiastic about Ezekiel'south prophecies in chapters 25–48. Of Ezekiel'due south twelve, precisely recorded visions, 7 were given after the fall of Jerusalem and dealt with such events of the last days as the edifice of the not bad Jewish kingdom nether a shepherd named David, the gathering of scattered Israel, the unification of all the tribes of Israel, the joining of the Bible and the Book of Mormon, the battle of Armageddon, and the building of a modernistic temple in Jerusalem. Truly, Ezekiel was a prophet of the Restoration.

Notes and Commentary on Ezekiel 25–48

(27-2) Ezekiel 25–32. Ezekiel Prophesied against Foreign Nations

These eight chapters contain prophecies against several strange nations: Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt.

"Although the prophets concentrated mainly on Israel/Judah, all of them were very conscious that God was Lord of the whole globe. There is no nation beyond the reach of his sentence; and what he condemns and punishes in his own people, he condemns and punishes in other nations too. This drove of prophecies effectively marks the pause in Ezekiel's ministry earlier, and his ministry building after, the fall of Jerusalem in 587B.C." (David Alexander and Pat Alexander, eds., Eerdmans' Handbook to the Bible, p. 423.)

These chapters in Ezekiel are similar to those in Isaiah and Jeremiah where prophetic burdens are pronounced on sure foreign nations (encounter Isaiah 13–23; Jeremiah 46–51).

(27-3) Ezekiel 25:3. What Is the Significance of the Interjection "Aha"?

Aha was used as an expression of malicious joy. Considering the Ammonites rejoiced when Judah fell and the temple was profaned, the Lord was displeased and promised to punish them. (Run across Robert Young, Analytical Concordance to the Bible, s.v. "aha"; Ezekiel 26:2; 36:2.)

(27-4) Ezekiel 25:viii. What Is Seir?

Seir is the original name of the mountain ridge extending along the east side of the valley of Arabah, from the Dead Body of water to the Gulf of Aqaba. This area was the dwelling place of the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. Seir in the Bible became synonymous with Edom. Compare this prophecy about Edom in Ezekiel 25:8–11with those in Isaiah xvi:1–5(where Sela, which in Hebrew means "the rock," is causeless to be Mountain Seir) and in Jeremiah 49:seven–22.

(27-5) Ezekiel 25:16. Who Were the Cherethims?

The word cherethims would ameliorate exist translated "Cretans," a branch of the sea peoples of whom the Philistines were a part. The Cretans dwelt in southwest Canaan. (See C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Sometime Testament, ix:1:369.)

(27-half dozen) Ezekiel 26:ane–14. A Remarkable Fulfillment of Prophecy

Korihor, the Book of Mormon anti-Christ, told Alma that "no man can know of anything which is to come" considering "ye cannot know of things which ye practice not see" (Alma 30:xiii, 15). Once more and again in the Sometime Testament, one can observe examples that prove Korihor incorrect. The prophets foretold in great detail many future events. Ezekiel's prophecies concerning Tyre (Tyrus) are some of the most remarkable.

Tyre was situated on the coast about halfway between Carmel in Israel and Beirut in Lebanon.

But it was a peculiar geographic feature of Tyre that gave it its about remarkable prophetic destiny. Merrill F. Unger noted that Tyre "in one case consisted of two parts—a rocky coast defense of great strength on the mainland, and a city upon a small merely well-protected island, virtually half a mile from the shore" (Unger's Bible Dictionary, s.v. "Tyre," p. 1121).

Ezekiel predicted that Nebuchadnezzar would lay siege to Tyre (see Ezekiel 26:7–11), but a skeptic like Korihor might say that this prediction was non remarkable since Nebuchadnezzar was conquering about every major urban center in the area, and Tyre was a particularly ripe plum because of its wealth. Just "before a generation had passed away, according to Josephus, Philostratus, and Seder Olam, Nebuchadnezzar came up, as had been predicted [Ezekiel 26:seven–xv], making a fort, casting a mount, and lifting up the buckler. At the end of thirteen years [about 605B.C.] he took the city, at least that on the mainland, and Tyre was forgotten 70 years, as had been foretold past Isaiah [23:15]." (Samuel Fallows, ed., The Popular and Critical Bible Encyclopedia and Scriptural Lexicon, south.five. "Tyre," p. 1682.)

Some of Ezekiel's peculiar promises seemed to be unfulfilled, including the following:

"I will also scrape her dust from her" (Ezekiel 26:4).

Tyre volition become "similar the meridian of a rock" (Ezekiel 26:four).

"It shall exist a identify for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea" (Ezekiel 26:5).

"They shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water" (Ezekiel 26:12).

"Thou shalt be built no more" (Ezekiel 26:14).

For nearly 3 hundred years these prophecies appeared to exist inaccurate. Nebuchadnezzar conquered the mainland metropolis but was unable to subdue all of Tyre considering of its strategic position on the island. After a few decades Tyre regained her wealth and splendor, though the ruined urban center on the shore was non rebuilt, and the island fortification became the key urban center.

Then in 332B.C., Alexander the Smashing swept out of the northern Mediterranean earth. He moved south with his forces and camped on the ruins of aboriginal Tyre, isolating the inhabitants on the island offshore. Tyre had supposedly fabricated a peaceful brotherhood with the Greeks, but when Alexander requested permission to bring his troops into Tyre to worship their gods and was refused, he laid siege to Tyre—a hard task since the city lay on an isle a one-half mile off the shore.

James Hastings described what followed: "The memorable siege began. Alexander built a mole [causeway] 200 ft. wide out towards the island. Information technology was repeatedly destroyed. The defense was drastic and successful, till Alexander invested the metropolis with a fleet of 224 ships. Tyre was stormed, 8000 of her inhabitants massacred, 2000 crucified on the shore, and xxx,000 sold into slavery. Tyre ceased to be an island, and henceforth was permanently joined to the mainland. Merely a blunt headland to-day suggests the existence of the erstwhile island fortress. The mole is at present ½ mile broad." (A Lexicon of the Bible, s.v. "Tyre.")

Fallows noted how Ezekiel's prophecy that Tyre would exist scraped clean and made like the pinnacle of a stone was fulfilled: "So utterly were the ruins of old Tyre thrown into the body of water, that its verbal site is confessedly undeterminable, although the ruins of near fifty cities near Rome, which perished almost ii,500 years ago, testify that the extinction of every trace of a urban center is a sort of miracle." (Bible Encyclopedia, s.v. "Tyre," p. 1682.)

Coastlines of Tyre

Today there is no island opposite Tyre, but a close examination of the coastline in that vicinity will show a small peninsula jutting into the sea. Because of its configuration and the prevailing breezes, local fishermen come up to the barren, rocky outcrop to spread their nets to dry out.

The prophet Ezekiel certainly met the criteria outlined in Deuteronomy 18:18–22for determining whether a prophet speaks for the Lord.

(27-vii) Ezekiel 27:5, x, xiii–14, 16. Geographical Locations

Senir (meet Ezekiel 27:5) is Mount Hermon. Phut (run into 5. 10) is Libya. Javan (see v. xiii) is Greece. Togarmah (run across v. 14) is Armenia. Syria (see 5. 16) was known in aboriginal times every bit Aram (see 5. 16a).

(27-eight) Ezekiel 28:twenty–23. "Set Thy Face against Zidon"

Zidon, or Sidon, a sis metropolis with Tyre, also had been a thorn in Israel's side. If the Israelites had followed Moses' instructions to destroy all the Canaanites (run across Deuteronomy vii:i–5; Judges i:31), Tyre and Sidon would have been Israelite cities for nigh eight centuries by Ezekiel's time and their history significantly different.

(27-9) Ezekiel 29:1–sixteen. Arab republic of egypt Volition Acquire Who Is God

Alexander and Alexander wrote: "By his insufferable pride in placing himself among the gods, Pharaoh has exposed his whole country to God's acrimony. But he volition acquire who is God!" (Eerdmans' Handbook, p. 425.)

Syene (see Ezekiel 29:10) was a city in the south of Egypt, far up the Nile. Pathros (see v. 14) was the proper noun for upper Egypt, or the south part of Egypt. Once the seat of leadership for Arab republic of egypt was driven up to Pathros, Egypt became "the basest of the kingdoms" and never did "exalt itself whatsoever more to a higher place the nations" (v. 15). From that point on, Egypt ceased to play an important role in world affairs.

(27-ten) Ezekiel 29:xviii–20. Nebuchadnezzar Lost Tyre

Nebuchadnezzar had non been able to conquer the island city (see Notes and Commentary on Ezekiel 26:1–fourteen). When the long siege of Tyre was concluded, many of the Tyrians loaded their wealth on their ships and escaped to Carthage. Thus Nebuchadnezzar lost some of the spoil of i of the globe's richest cities (see Adam Clarke, The Holy Bible … with a Commentary and Disquisitional Notes, iv:503).

(27-xi) Ezekiel 30:13–17. Locations of the Lord'southward Judgments upon Egypt

Noph. The city of Memphis in lower Egypt.

Zoan. The city of Rameses in lower Egypt in the Nile River delta.

No. The city of Thebes in upper Egypt.

Aven. The sacred city of Heliopolis, or On, in lower Egypt.

Pi-beseth. A town of lower Egypt, the same as Bubastis, about twoscore miles from Memphis.

(27-12) Ezekiel 32. The Fearful Fall of Egypt

Ezekiel 32is written in poetic and figurative way and relates to Egypt'due south pending downfall and the decimation of her people, especially the leaders—the "bright lights" (5. ). In verse 22 the Lord says Ashur (Assyria) is already in hell, which was where Egypt was headed. The reference to the "nether parts of the earth" in verses eighteen and 24 is typical of the ancient belief that hell is below the earth. Pharaoh was to join the kings of Tyre, Sidon, Damascus, Assyria, Persia, Idumea, and and then forth, in hell, with their armies, and be comforted to know that they share a mutual fate (see five. 31; Clarke, Commentary, 4:510).

Sites in ancient Arab republic of egypt

(27-13) Ezekiel 33:ii–9. "I Have Set Thee a Watchman unto the Firm of Israel"

Ezekiel 33:2–9reiterates the teachings about the watchman found in Ezekiel 3:17–21. Elder Spencer W. Kimball explained the need to have a watchman:

"I am sure that Peter and James and Paul found information technology unpleasant business concern to constantly exist calling people to repentance and alert them of dangers, but they continued unflinchingly. So nosotros, your leaders, must be everlastingly at it; if immature people do non empathize, so the mistake may be partly ours. Only, if nosotros make the truthful way clear to you, then we are blameless [Ezekiel 33:iii–6].

"So, I wish today to assist ascertain meanings of words and acts for y'all immature people, to fortify you against mistake, anguish, pain and sorrow." (Love versus Lust, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [5 Jan. 1965], pp. six–vii.)

(27-14) Ezekiel 33:12–19. Repenting of Sin

Ezekiel 33:12–19says that one's righteous deeds will not abolish out 1's works of iniquity. If a sinner "turn from his sin, and exercise that which is lawful and right" (five. 14), however, his sins will non be mentioned on his account (v. 16).

Repentance is not to be procrastinated (come across Alma 34:32–34), nor is it to exist "trifled with every solar day," said Joseph Smith. "Daily transgression and daily repentance [incomplete or insincere] is not that which is pleasing in the sight of God." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 148.) But the Prophet too said, "At that place is never a time when the spirit is also sometime to approach God. All are within the achieve of pardoning mercy, who have not committed the unpardonable sin." (Teachings, p. 191.)

Elderberry Spencer W. Kimball farther commented on the demand to provide restitution for sin, every bit noted in Ezekiel 33:xv:

"When i is humble in sorrow, has unconditionally abandoned the evil, confessed to those assigned by the Lord, he should adjacent restore insofar as possible that which was damaged. If he burglarized, he should return to the rightful owner that which was stolen. Maybe one reason murder is unforgivable is that having taken a life, the murderer cannot restore it. Restitution in full is not possible. …

"However, the truly repentant soul volition usually observe things which can exist done to restore to some extent. The true spirit of repentance demands this. Ezekiel taught: [Ezekiel 33:xv]. …

"A pleading sinner must also forgive all people of all offenses committed against himself. The Lord is under no obligation to forgive us unless our hearts are fully purged of all hate, bitterness and accusations against all others." (Be Ye Clean, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 4 May 1954, p. 11.)

(27-xv) Ezekiel 33:21–33. Ezekiel Heard of the Destruction of Jerusalem

"The news did non take Ezekiel past surprise. God had already given him dorsum his speech, as promised [Ezekiel 24:27], past the fourth dimension the messenger arrived. Some texts have 'eleventh twelvemonth' for 'twelfth' in poesy 21, in which case the news takes the more likely time of vi months to accomplish them. Those left behind in Judah, far from repenting, were busy annexing other people's holding. And in Babylonia the exiles who seemed to lap upwards Ezekiel's words came simply for entertainment. They neither believed them nor acted on them: a depressing situation after all that had happened!" (Alexander and Alexander, Eerdmans' Handbook, p. 426.)

It was unfortunate that the Jews in Babylonia did not appreciate at that time "that a prophet hath been amidst them" (Ezekiel 33:33).

(27-16) Ezekiel 34:1–x. "Should Not the Shepherds Feed the Flocks?"

In a tone very like to Jeremiah'southward (run into Jeremiah 23:1–8), Ezekiel condemned the pastors, or shepherds, of the Lord's spiritual flock, the religious leaders of Ezekiel's 24-hour interval.

In contrast to the Lord's care of His flock, the shepherds of Israel fed themselves but non the flock. The negligent shepherds did not strengthen the sick, bind upward the cleaved, bring dorsum again those who were driven away, or seek for the lost sheep—all of which whatever real shepherd would do for his own sheep. Instead, they ruled the sheep with force and cruelty and allow them wander to become a prey to beasts.

President Spencer W. Kimball, in a priesthood session of general briefing, charged the present shepherds—priesthood leaders—of the kingdom to be concerned about the welfare of the flock:

"Every bit nosotros read and study the scriptures, nosotros are fabricated conscious of the fact that the Savior has always been concerned about the welfare of the members of his flock, both individually and collectively. It is about that principle of caring for and ministering to the needs of the Church membership in these troubled days that I desire to speak to you lot brethren tonight.

"Bishops and co-operative presidents, please exist e'er alert to the needs of the precious individuals and families who make up the membership of your wards and branches. You are the nurturing shepherds of our people. To the greatest extent possible, let your counselors and others who serve and work under your direction be the managers of programs. If you lot will pursue this accent, you lot will often be able to detect very early some of those members who have serious difficulties, while their challenges and problems are still pocket-size and manageable. Be conscious of the piffling tensions and problems you may see in families so that you can requite the required attending, counsel, and love when it is most needed. An hour with a troubled boy or girl now may save him or her, and is infinitely better than the hundreds of hours spent in their later lives in the reclamation of a male child or daughter if they go inactive.

"As we accept said so many times, delegate those tasks which others tin can do so that you are free to do those things which you, and y'all alone, can do. Home teachers are to help watch over the flock. Even though they don't counsel as bishops and branch presidents do, home teachers can render much advisable and preventive help under the direction of the quorum leaders and bishoprics.

"Stake presidents, bishops, and co-operative presidents, please take a particular interest in improving the quality of teaching in the Church. The Savior has told us to feed his sheep (see John 21:15–17). I fear that all too oftentimes many of our members come to church building, sit through a form or meeting, and they then return abode having been largely uninformed. Information technology is particularly unfortunate when this happens at a fourth dimension when they may be entering a menses of stress, temptation, or crisis. Nosotros all need to be touched and nurtured past the Spirit, and effective pedagogy is i of the nearly important ways this can happen. We often exercise vigorous enlistment work to become members to come to church but and then practise not fairly sentinel over what they receive when they exercise come." (In Conference Report, Oct. 1980, p. 67; see as well Ensign, November. 1980, pp. 45–46.)

(27-17) Ezekiel 34:23–31. Who Is David the Prince?

See Notes and Commentary on Isaiah xi:1.

(27-xviii) Ezekiel 35. Edom to Be Destroyed

Why would the Lord deal so harshly with the people of Edom, the descendants of Esau and therefore also of Abraham and Isaac? The answer is clear afterward analyzing Ezekiel 35. The people of Edom hated the children of State of israel and shed their claret (meet v. 5), sought to have over their lands (come across vv. ten, 12), spoke confronting the Lord (see 5. 13), and rejoiced at Israel'south desolation (see v. fifteen).

Edom as a distinct nation was destroyed, giving further evidence that the Lord keeps His promises. Although the nation is no more, Edom, or Idumea (see v. 15), has become a symbol for the wicked earth that exists today (encounter D&C 1:36; run into too Jeremiah 49:vii–22; Obadiah 1; Notes and Commentary on Jeremiah 49; Obadiah 1).

(27-19) Ezekiel 36. The House of Israel Will Be Gathered to Their Own Lands

The simply verses in Ezekiel 36that do non deal with the terminal days are those that explain why the Lord scattered Israel (see vv. 16–22).

None of the post-obit events accept fully transpired, though today is the twenty-four hours when these prophecies are being fulfilled:

• Those men who will multiply upon the land are from all the house of Israel, not but the kingdom of Judah (meet v. 10).

• State of israel is to walk upon the state which shall "no more henceforth disinherit them of men" (5. 12; come across also vv. xiii–14).

• Those who return will be gathered from the infidel and from all countries (see v. 24).

• They are to be cleansed from their filthiness (see v. 25).

• They are to be converted to the Lord and receive His Spirit (see vv. 26–27).

  Verses 28–38 explain that the recovery of Israel will exist quite remarkable and will exist done for the Lord'southward reasons, not because State of israel has earned information technology (run across v. 32). The Israel of the future must be spiritually worthy and must submit themselves to the Lord'due south volition.

(27-20) Ezekiel 37:i–14. Is Ezekiel's Vision of the Valley of Bones nearly the Resurrection or about the Renewal of the House of State of israel?

Often prophetic utterances have dual meanings. Such is the case for the well-known allegory of the scattered dry out bones. The beauty of prophecy is that the Lord tin can reveal to those who are spiritually alert more than than one truth in one prophecy.

Sidney B. Sperry wrote the following commentary on the dual nature of this prophecy: "It volition be seen from this passage that the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead … is invoked to symbolize the restoration of Israel's exiles to their own land. The exiles are represented—so it seems to me—every bit having lost hope (their bones are dried up) of e'er living once again as a nation. But the Lord shows them that they tin be restored through His mighty power even equally the expressionless volition be raised in the resurrection. The doctrine of the resurrection of the body is causeless. Some writers fence that the idea of resurrection was not known amidst the Hebrews at this early time. Merely the fact that Ezekiel speaks as he did would seem to me an indication that the doctrine had long been understood in Israel. Any true prophet would understand the doctrine of the resurrection, so Latter-day Saints believe, and State of israel had had many prophets long before Ezekiel'southward time." (The Vocalisation of Israel'southward Prophets, pp. 225–26.)

The symbolic pregnant of this prophecy equally it relates to the gathering of Israel is apparent: The bones stand for Israel in its lost and scattered state; the graves indicate where Israel is as well every bit its condition of spiritual death. The spirit, or ruach in Hebrew (encounter Ezekiel 37:9), means the new spirit of righteousness the people will accept when they take been resurrected, that is, restored from their fallen state. The source of this new life will be the Holy Ghost.

But Ezekiel's business relationship of the Resurrection is literal, as well as symbolic of the future gathering of State of israel. Elderberry Bruce R. McConkie testified: "There is nothing more real, more literal, more personal than the resurrection, as Ezekiel so beheld in vision. He saw the dead live over again, live literally and personally, each 1 becoming in physical makeup as he had been in bloodshed. It was with each of them equally it would exist with their Lord, when he, having also come along from his valley of dry basic, stood in the upper room with his disciples, ate before them, and permitted them to handle his physical body. To his people the Lord's voice came: 'I will open up your graves, and cause you to come up up out of your graves, and bring you lot into the land of Israel.' (Ezek. 37:ane–fourteen.) He who shall practise all this, as we are at present acutely enlightened, is the Lord Jesus Christ who is the God of Israel." (The Promised Messiah, pp. 270–71.)

(27-21) Ezekiel 37:15–20. What Is the Symbolism of the Two Sticks Being Joined Together?

This passage is some other instance of the dual nature of prophecy. Sperry explained: "What is the meaning of these 'sticks' and what is their significance? Virtually commentators simply believe that each slice of wood represents one of the ii kingdoms, either Judah or State of israel (Ephraim), which are to be bound together or united under the Lord'due south management. This human action symbolizes the reunion of Ephraim and Judah into one kingdom. … However, the Latter-day Saints insist that such an interpretation is past no means complete. … What they practice believe is that each of the sticks represents a scripture, a significant piece of writing. The Bible represents the scripture of Judah. To an average person not of our faith this decision may seem reasonable, but he will enquire immediately what scripture represents the stick of Ephraim. To which we reply, the Volume of Mormon. The Nephite scripture is the record of the descendants upon this continent of Joseph who was sold into Egypt." (Voice of Israel's Prophets, pp. 226–27.)

The Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon affirm that Ezekiel's prophecy deals with the Bible and the Book of Mormon being joined together. Doctrine and Covenants 27:5teaches that the Book of Mormon is the stick of Ephraim. The Book of Mormon, in i Nephi 13:xl–41; two Nephi 29:10–xiv; and Mormon 7:viii–9speaks of the records of the Jews and the records of the Nephites being gathered together into ane.

The sign that Jesus Christ gave the Nephites that the restoration of the tribes of State of israel was at hand was the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, which fabricated the combining of the records possible (run into 3 Nephi 20:46; 21:ane–7; 29:i). This truth is sustained past Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "Because [the Book of Mormon] came forth, as the seeric insight of Ezekiel has so plainly set forth, latter-day State of israel would exist gathered, her people would go clean earlier the Lord, he would make with them again his everlasting gospel covenant, and his tabernacle and temple would be in their midst forevermore. (Ezek. 37:15–28.)" (Promised Messiah, p. 146.)

(27-22) Ezekiel 37:15–17. What Was the Meaning Anciently of the Give-and-take Stick?

Bible scholars who are not Latter-24-hour interval Saints have insisted that the traditional Christian estimation of the discussion stick should be a "rod or scepter" rather than a record of some kind. They conclude that uniting the two tribal scepters vividly symbolizes the reunification of the divided tribes. Simply as Keith H. Meservy pointed out:

"Contempo heady discoveries now ostend the definiteness of Joseph Smith's interpretation in a way incommunicable in 1830. But before discussing these new discoveries, permit'south take a quick wait at some linguistic points. Both stick, in the English King James Version, and rod, in the Greek Septuagint Version, are very unusual translations of the Hebrew discussion etz … whose basic significant is wood . …

"The modern nation of Republic of iraq includes almost all of Mesopotamia, the homeland of the ancient kingdoms of Assyria and Babylonia. In 593B.C., when Ezekiel was called to be a prophet, he was living in exile in Babylonia. … Equally he walked its streets, he would take seen the typical scribe pressing a wedge-shaped stylus into moist dirt tablets to brand the complex writings familiar to us as cuneiform (wedge-shaped). Only scholars today know that other kinds of records were being made in Mesopotamia: papyrus, parchment, and wooden tablets. Though merely the dirt tablets have survived the millennia, writers referred to the other writing materials on their clay tablets. [I such writing style was called "wood tablets."]

"Modernistic archaeologists knew what papyrus and parchment were, but what were these wood tablets? How could cuneiform exist written on wood? …

"… Some years agone … San Nicolo [an archaeologist] remembered that Romans and Greeks both fabricated wooden wax tablets for record-keeping purposes out of boards whose surfaces had been cut below the edges in guild to concur a thin blanket of wax. Scribes wrote on the wax. The raised edges protected the inscribed surfaces when two tablets were put together.

"Could the Babylonians have done the same thing? … 5 years later, … a discovery made in the territory that had been ancient Assyria confirmed his theory to the letter.

"The discovery, directed by archaeologist Max Mallowan, was made in a layer of sludge deep in a well in Nimrod, a city known equally Calah in the Bible. … By the end of the day workmen had found … fragments of two complete sets of tablets, ane of ivory and the other of walnut, each composed of sixteen boards. …

"All of the surfaces of the boards were cut downwards a tenth of an inch, leaving a one-half-inch-wide raised edge all around. The lowered surfaces provided a bed for wax filling, of which some thin biscuit-similar fragments were constitute either still adhering to the boards or mixed in the sludge nearby. …

"The cover boards … had hinge marks on both sides, making information technology evident that all sixteen in each set had once been joined together like a Japanese folding screen. The whole work made such an extensive record that Mallowan could announce his discovery equally the oldest known instance of a volume. …

"With these things in listen, we can meet how we might translate Ezekiel 37:15–17in this way:

"'These were the words of the Lord to me: Human, take one leaf of a wooden tablet and write on it, "Judah and his associates of Israel." And so have another leaf and write on it, "Joseph, the leaf [wooden tablet] of Ephraim and all his associates of Israel."

"'Now bring the 2 together to form one tablet; then they volition be a folding tablet in your mitt.'

"This translation is faithful to what we now know of Ezekiel'southward language and culture." ("Ezekiel's 'Sticks,'" Ensign, Sept. 1977, pp. 24–26.)

(27-23) Ezekiel 37:26–28. A Latter-24-hour interval Temple in Jerusalem

Ezekiel prophesied in 37:26–28 about a holy sanctuary or temple that would be part of the great reunification of Israel. Before long after this vision, Ezekiel received a detailed vision of what the new temple in Jerusalem would be like (come across Ezekiel 40–48). President Joseph Fielding Smith said: "Ezekiel predicted the building of a temple in Jerusalem which will be used for ordinance work later the gathering of Israel from their long dispersion and when they are cleansed from their transgressions" (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:244).

(27-24) Ezekiel 38–39. The Boxing of Gog and Magog

The following from Elderberry Bruce R. McConkie sums up the events of the battle of Armageddon:

"Our Lord is to come again in the midst of the boxing of Armageddon, or in other words during the course of the dandy war betwixt Israel and Gog and Magog. At the Second Coming all nations of the globe are to be engaged in battle, and the fighting is to be in progress in the area of Jerusalem and Armageddon. (Zech. 11; 12; 13; Rev. 16:14–21.) The prophecies practice not proper noun the modern nations which will exist fighting for and against Israel, but the designation Gog and Magog is given to the combination of nations which are seeking to overthrow and destroy the remnant of the Lord's chosen seed.

"The 38th and 39th capacity of Ezekiel tape considerable prophetic detail relative to this great war. It should be noted that information technology is to take place 'in the latter years'; that it will be fought in the 'mountains of Israel' confronting those who have been gathered to the land of their ancient inheritance; that the land of Israel shall be relatively unprotected, a 'country of unwalled villages'; that Gog and Magog shall come 'out of the north parts' in such numbers as 'to cover the state' as a cloud; that the Lord will and then come, and all men shall milkshake at his presence; that there will be such an earthquake as has never before been known, which volition throw down the mountains; that there will be pestilence, claret, fire, and brimstone descend upon the armies; that the forces of Gog and Magog volition be destroyed upon the mountains of Israel; that the Supper of the Great God shall then have place every bit the beasts and fowls eat the flesh and drink the blood of the fallen ones (Rev. xix:17–eighteen; D. & C. 29:18–21); and that the firm of Israel will be seven months burying the expressionless and seven years burning the discarded weapons of war.

"In the low-cal of all this and much more that is prophetically foretold about the final peachy battles in the holy country, is information technology any wonder that those who are scripturally informed and spiritually aware watch world events with dandy interest every bit troubles continue to foment in Palestine, Egypt, and the Near E?" (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 324–25.)

That the boxing earlier the Millennium, which is known as the battle of Armageddon, makes reference to Gog and Magog may at commencement exist confusing since the concluding great boxing at the stop of the Millennium is called the boxing of Gog and Magog past John (run into Revelation twenty:vii–ix). But the names "Gog" and "Magog" are used for both battles because they symbolize an brotherhood of great, evil power. President Joseph Fielding Smith antiseptic this signal as follows: "Before the coming of Christ, the great war, sometimes called Armageddon, will take place as spoken of by Ezekiel, capacity 38 and 39. Another state of war of Gog and Magog will exist after the millennium." (Doctrines of Salvation, iii:45.)

Obviously the battle seen by Ezekiel will be one of the greatest events of the world's history, and then it is non surprising that the prophets speak of it once again and again. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Zechariah, and John the Revelator all speak of it in some detail, and it is mentioned in several places in latter-day scripture. (See Enrichment I.)

(27-25) Ezekiel 38:1–two. Gog and Magog

The terms Gog and Magog are often joined together, as, for example, in the phrase the "battle of Gog and Magog" (see Revelation 20:8). Thus, many people assume the terms refer to two people by those names. Ezekiel 38:1–2shows clearly, withal, that Gog is a proper noun of a person and Magog the land from which he comes. Technically, "Gog of Magog" is the correct manner to say information technology. Over the centuries, however, the names accept come to mean the combination of nations that will fight against State of israel in the last days. (Come across Notes and Commentary on Ezekiel 38–39.)

(27-26) Ezekiel 38:ii–half-dozen. Ancient Names and Modern Equivalents

Ezekiel specifically told his readers where Gog, the great military and pol or leaders of the last days, would come from and with whom he would be centrolineal in the war against Israel. He used names that were electric current in Old Testament times, though many of these names are not familiar to modern readers. Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were in northern Asia Minor (run into five. 2). Persia was in east asia Minor, and Ethiopia and Great socialist people's libyan arab jamahiriya (Cush and Phut) were in Africa (meet v. five). Gomer and Togarmah accept been associated with peoples in Asia Minor and Europe (encounter v. half dozen; see Hastings, Lexicon of the Bible; Fallows, Bible Encyclopedia; Encyclopaedia Judaica; Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 9:2:159–60.) That these nations would come from north and s, east and due west, represents the teaching that all nations will fight against State of israel (compare Zechariah fourteen:ii).

"They shall become ane in thine hand" (Ezekiel 37:17).

(27-27) Ezekiel 38:22. "I Volition Rain upon Him … Nifty Hailstones"

Every bit did Ezekiel, John the Revelator also saw slap-up hailstones raining downwardly on the vast army at Armageddon. He gave their weight at ane talent (run across Revelation xvi:21), which is approximately 75.6 pounds, or 34.iii kilograms (see Bible Dictionary, s.v. "weights and measures"). Ezekiel 38:22is the verse referred to in Doctrine and Covenants 29:21.

(27-28) Ezekiel 39:11. Where Is the Valley of Hamongog?

Ezekiel 39:11depicts a future upshot and is not making reference to a known location of that 24-hour interval. Hamon in Hebrew means "multitude" (see William Wilson, Quondam Testament Word Studies, southward.five. "multitude"). The name Hamongog therefore ways the "multitude of Gog," indicating that the valley will exist so chosen because of the vast numbers buried there. Since the last battle centers around Jerusalem (see Enrichment I), it is assumed that the valley of Hamongog is somewhere nearby.

(27-29) Ezekiel twoscore–44. The Vision of a Hereafter Temple

In one of the most remarkable visions of the Old Testament, Ezekiel had the privilege of being carried abroad past the Spirit to the holy urban center of Jerusalem to behold on the temple mount the magnificent temple to exist congenital at that place in the latter days. In Ezekiel 40:3, Ezekiel was introduced to a "man" who subsequently showed him the temple and its measurements. This "man" was probably not the Lord only an authorized messenger.

Elder James E. Talmage described the main features of this temple:

"In the twenty-fifth year of the Babylonian captivity, while nevertheless the people of State of israel were in exile in a strange land, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Ezekiel; the power of God rested upon him; and he saw in vision a glorious Temple, the program of which he minutely described. Equally to whether the prophet himself considered the design so shown as one to be subsequently realized, or every bit only a thousand yet unattainable ideal, is not declared. Certain it is that the Temple of the vision has not all the same been builded.

"In most of its essential features Ezekiel's ideal followed closely the plan of Solomon's Temple; so close, indeed, is the resemblance, that many of the details specified past Ezekiel have been accustomed as those of the splendid edifice destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. A predominant feature of the Temple described past Ezekiel was the spaciousness of its premises and the symmetry of both the Holy House and its associated buildings. The area was to be a foursquare of v hundred cubits, walled well-nigh and provided with a gateway and arches on each of three sides; on the w side the wall was to be unbroken past curvation or portal. At each of the gateways were picayune chambers regarded as lodges, and provided with porches. In the outer courtroom were other chambers. The entire expanse was to be elevated, and a flight of steps led to each gateway. In the inner courtroom was seen the bully chantry, standing earlier the House, and occupying the center of a square of i hundred cubits. Ample provision was made for every diversity of sacrifice and offering, and for the accommodation of the priests, the singers, and all engaged in the holy ritual. The main structure comprised a Porch, a Holy Place, and an inner sanctuary or Most Holy Place, the last named elevated in a higher place the rest and reached by steps. The plan provided for fifty-fifty greater exclusiveness than had characterized the sacred expanse of the Temple of Solomon; the double courts contributed to this end. The service of the Temple was prescribed in particular; the ordinances of the altar, the duties of the priests, the ministry of the Levites, the regulations governing oblations and feasts were all set forth.

"The immediate purpose of this revelation through the vision of the prophet appears to take been that of awakening the people of Israel to a realization of their fallen state and a formulation of their departed glory." (The Firm of the Lord, pp. 37–38.)

(27-30) Ezekiel 40:45–46. Who Are the Sons of Zadok?

The heavenly messenger explained to Ezekiel that the Levites who would go along charge of the holy house would exist the sons of Zadok. Zadok was a righteous high priest in the days of Male monarch Solomon. Zadok replaced Abiathar (see 1 Kings two:26–27, 35) because of his loyalty to David and Solomon. Zadok was the kickoff high priest to officiate in Solomon'southward temple. Apparently the Lord desired the descendants of the righteous Zadok to officiate in the latter-mean solar day temple in Jerusalem (see Ezekiel 44:15; 48:11).

(27-31) Ezekiel 43:1–five; 44:4. The Celebrity of God Fills the Temple

The glory of God is manifest in the brightness and power of His divine presence. It is expected that the celebrity of the Lord would fill up His holy house in Jerusalem. Unquestionably, His glory has filled all of the temples that have been built in His name and by His potency. (see Numbers 9:15–18; 2 Chronicles 5:13–xiv; Ezra half dozen:14–sixteen; D&C 110:1–five; 124:27–28, 38–41.)

(27-32) Ezekiel 43:eighteen–27. What Sacrifices Will Exist Offered in the Temple?

President Joseph Fielding Smith explained:

"When these temples [the temple seen by Ezekiel and others to exist built in the New Jerusalem] are built, information technology is very likely that provision will be fabricated for some ceremonies and ordinances which may exist performed past the Aaronic Priesthood and a identify provided where the sons of Levi may offer their offering in righteousness. This will have to exist the case considering all things are to exist restored. In that location were ordinances performed in aboriginal Israel in the tabernacle when in the wilderness, and after it was established at Shiloh in the state of Canaan, and later in the temple congenital by Solomon. The Lord has informed u.s.a. that this was the case and has said that in those edifices ordinances for the people were performed. …

"We are living in the dispensation of the fulness of times into which all things are to be gathered, and all things are to be restored since the beginning. Even this globe is to be restored to the condition which prevailed earlier Adam's transgression. Now in the nature of things, the law of cede will have to be restored, or all things which were decreed by the Lord would not be restored. It will be necessary, therefore, for the sons of Levi, who offered the claret sacrifices anciently in Israel, to offer such a sacrifice again to round out and consummate this ordinance in this dispensation. Sacrifice by the shedding of blood was instituted in the days of Adam and of necessity will have to exist restored.

"The sacrifice of animals volition be done to consummate the restoration when the temple spoken of is built; at the beginning of the millennium, or in the restoration, blood sacrifices will be performed long enough to complete the fulness of the restoration in this dispensation. Subsequently cede will exist of some other character." (Doctrines of Salvation, 3:93–94.)

(27-33) Ezekiel 45:1–8; 47:thirteen–48:29. How Will the State Be Divided amongst the Tribes of Israel?

According to Ezekiel's vision of the futurity, the Holy Land will be divided in strips running between the Mediterranean Sea on the west and the Dead Sea and the Jordan River on the due east. Each of the twelve tribes will be given a strip of state with a strip out of the centre for the prince, the city, and the Levites, that is, the priests. Joseph volition receive a double portion (Ezekiel 47:13) since Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph's sons, both became tribes in Israel. The city will have twelve gates, one for each tribe (including Levi and one for Joseph). On the north will be the tribes of Reuben, Judah, and Levi; on the east volition be Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan; on the s volition be Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun; on the west will be Gad, Asher, and Naphtali. Jerusalem will so exist called the Lord is there (Jehovah-shammah; see Ezekiel 48:35). There will exist a gathering in that location of the scattered tribes of Israel, and the temple that Ezekiel saw in vision volition be primal in location and part in that gathering.

Regarding the inheritances of Joseph's descendants in the Middle East, Sperry commented: "Of interest to the Latter-mean solar day Saints is the fact that provision is made for the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. It is quite evident from Ezekiel'south vision that not all of Joseph's descendants are to have their inheritance on the American continent, as some of our people have supposed. Nosotros may be justified in believing, notwithstanding, that virtually of Joseph's seed will exist provided for on this land (see Ether xiii:5–12), but Ezekiel very evidently implies that some of Joseph'south descendants will dwell in Palestine." (Phonation of Israel's Prophets, pp. 236–37.)

(27-34) Ezekiel 47:i–12. Waters Issue from the Temple

The Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed: "Judah must return, Jerusalem must be rebuilt, and the temple, and h2o come out from nether the temple, and the waters of the Dead Sea exist healed. Information technology will take some time to rebuild the walls of the urban center and the temple, &c; and all this must be done before the Son of Human being will make His advent." (Teachings, p. 286.)

The waters issuing forth from under the temple and the healing of the Dead Body of water may occur when the Lord Himself sets pes upon the Mount of Olives, causing this mountain to dissever in two and create a big valley (see Zechariah 14:4; D&C 133:xx–24; Enrichment I).

(27-35) Ezekiel 47:22–23. Who Are These Strangers?

Undoubtedly there will exist converts who are not function of blood Israel who will receive an inheritance considering of their devotion to the gospel. They volition then be adopted into the firm of Israel. These strangers may exist some of the gentile peoples who volition accept the gospel in the last days.

(27-36) Ezekiel 48:31–34. The Gates of the City

see Revelation 22:13–17for the requirements i must fill to enter in the gates of the holy city.

(27-37) Ezekiel 48:35. Jerusalem Will Exist Called Holy

The Joseph Smith Translation reads: "And the name of the metropolis from that day shall be chosen, Holy; for the Lord shall be there" (meet JST, Ezekiel 48:35; emphasis added). The temple volition be built as a symbol to State of israel that the Lord is with His people.

Points to Ponder

(27-38) Making the Prophecies Alive Today

These chapters take shown the great prophetic insight with which the Lord blessed Ezekiel. Certainly the Lord trusted Ezekiel. He knew that this prophet among the exiles in Babylonia would see that these precious truths would be safely recorded and delivered to the nations of the world.

Exercise you rejoice when you read the prophecies of Ezekiel? Does your soul burn within y'all to realize that the Lord is at the helm in the affairs of His children and that He will bring again His people State of israel to their lands of promise and cleanse iniquity from their midst? Practise you thrill with the knowledge that He will protect Israel from her enemies and punish the wicked and that a peachy and magnificent temple will be built upon Mount Moriah in the holy city Jerusalem for the tribe of Judah? If you had been in the presence of the Jews in Babylon, would you "know that a prophet hath been among them"? (Ezekiel 33:33).

Certainly we cannot take for granted that the prophecies of Ezekiel will come to pass. We must do as Nephi did when he heard Lehi'southward recital of the vision of the tree of life and personally seek a confirmation of the truthfulness of Ezekiel'southward vision from the Lord (see 1 Nephi 10:17). Ezekiel himself was taught by the same principle (see Ezekiel 44:five).

Every bit you seek to know the truthfulness of what the prophets have revealed, remember that obtaining that noesis is a gradual process. The Lord said: "I will give unto the children of men line upon line, axiom upon precept, here a little and there a piddling; and blessed are they who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall acquire wisdom" (2 Nephi 28:30).

Take some time to reflect upon, ponder, and pray about the significance of Ezekiel'southward great message. "Treasure these things up in your hearts, and permit the solemnities of eternity remainder upon your minds" (D&C 43:34).

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Source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/old-testament-student-manual-kings-malachi/chapter-27?lang=eng

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