Ezekiel 38:20
The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that crawls upon the ground, and all mankind on the face of the earth will tremble at My presence. The mountains will be thrown down, the cliffs will collapse, and every wall will fall to the ground.
The fish of the sea
This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive scope of God's power and presence. In Hebrew, "fish" (דָּג, dag) often symbolizes life and abundance, as the sea was a source of sustenance. The inclusion of sea creatures highlights that even the most remote and hidden parts of creation are subject to God's authority. This reflects the omnipresence of God, who is sovereign over all creation, both seen and unseen.

the birds of the air
The Hebrew word for "birds" (עוֹף, oph) signifies creatures that soar above the earth, representing freedom and the heavens. In biblical symbolism, birds often denote messages or divine intervention. Their inclusion here suggests that even those creatures that seem to transcend earthly bounds are under God's dominion. This serves as a reminder of God's ultimate control over all realms of existence.

the beasts of the field
"Beasts" (חַיָּה, chayyah) in Hebrew refers to wild animals, symbolizing untamed nature and the raw power of creation. The phrase underscores that even the most powerful and independent creatures are not beyond God's reach. Historically, beasts were often seen as symbols of chaos, yet here they are depicted as trembling before the Creator, illustrating the order and peace that God's presence brings.

every creature that crawls upon the ground
This phrase includes all terrestrial life, emphasizing the totality of creation. The Hebrew word for "creature" (רֶמֶשׂ, remes) often refers to small, creeping animals, which might be overlooked or deemed insignificant. Their mention signifies that no part of creation is too small to escape God's notice or power. It is a humbling reminder of the Creator's intimate involvement with all life.

and all mankind on the face of the earth
The phrase "all mankind" (אָדָם, adam) encompasses every human being, highlighting the universality of God's judgment and presence. In the biblical context, "face of the earth" (פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה, penei ha'adamah) signifies the entirety of the inhabited world. This serves as a sobering reminder that no one is exempt from accountability before God, reinforcing the call to live righteously.

will tremble at My presence
The Hebrew word for "tremble" (רָעַשׁ, ra'ash) conveys a sense of fear and awe. This reaction is not merely physical but also spiritual, as creation recognizes the holiness and majesty of God. The phrase "My presence" (פָּנַי, panai) indicates a direct encounter with the divine, which is both terrifying and transformative. It calls believers to a reverent fear of the Lord, acknowledging His power and holiness.

The mountains will be thrown down
Mountains (הָרִים, harim) in scripture often symbolize stability and permanence. Their being "thrown down" signifies a dramatic upheaval, illustrating that even the most enduring aspects of creation are subject to God's will. This imagery serves as a metaphor for the dismantling of human pride and false security, urging believers to place their trust in God alone.

the cliffs will collapse
Cliffs (מַדְרֵגוֹת, madregot) represent natural fortresses and places of refuge. Their collapse signifies the futility of relying on earthly strongholds for protection. This imagery reinforces the message that true security is found only in God. It challenges believers to examine where they place their trust and to seek refuge in the Lord.

and every wall will fall to the ground
Walls (חוֹמָה, chomah) are symbols of human defense and separation. Their falling "to the ground" signifies the removal of barriers between God and humanity, as well as the futility of human defenses against divine judgment. This serves as a powerful reminder of the need for reconciliation with God and the breaking down of walls that separate us from Him and from each other. It calls believers to live in unity and peace, grounded in the love and grace of God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Fish of the Sea
Represents the entirety of marine life, indicating the comprehensive impact of God's presence.

2. Birds of the Air
Symbolizes the creatures of the sky, showing that all creation is affected.

3. Beasts of the Field
Refers to terrestrial animals, emphasizing the universal scope of God's power.

4. Every Creature that Moves Along the Ground
Encompasses all living beings, highlighting the totality of God's dominion.

5. All Mankind
Indicates that every human will recognize and respond to God's presence.

6. Mountains, Cliffs, and Walls
Symbolic of stability and strength, their destruction signifies the overwhelming power of God.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Creation
God's presence causes all of creation to tremble, reminding us of His ultimate authority over the natural world. We should live in reverence and awe of His power.

The Universality of God's Judgment
The passage highlights that no part of creation is exempt from God's judgment. This serves as a call to repentance and readiness for His return.

The Fragility of Human Constructs
The imagery of mountains and walls falling illustrates the temporary nature of human achievements. We should focus on building our lives on the eternal foundation of God's Word.

The Call to Recognize God's Presence
Just as all creation will tremble at God's presence, we are called to be aware of His presence in our daily lives, responding with worship and obedience.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of all creation trembling at God's presence in Ezekiel 38:20 affect your understanding of God's power and authority?

2. In what ways can we prepare ourselves for the day of the Lord, as described in Ezekiel 38:20 and related scriptures?

3. How does the destruction of mountains and walls in this passage challenge our reliance on earthly security and stability?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to live in reverence and awe of God's presence in our daily lives?

5. How do the themes of judgment and redemption in Ezekiel 38:20 connect with the message of hope found in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 2:19-21
This passage also describes a time when people will hide from the terror of the Lord and the splendor of His majesty, similar to the trembling described in Ezekiel 38:20.

Revelation 6:15-17
Echoes the theme of all creation, including kings and mighty men, hiding from the wrath of God, paralleling the universal trembling in Ezekiel.

Psalm 46:2-3
Speaks of the earth giving way and mountains falling into the sea, resonating with the imagery of mountains being overturned in Ezekiel.
The Invader DiscomfitedJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 38:14-22
Human Malice a Contribution to God's GloryJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 38:14-23
People
Dedan, Ezekiel, Gog, Gomer, Magog, Meshech, Phut, Rosh, Tarshish, Togarmah, Tubal
Places
Cush, Dedan, Jerusalem, Meshech, Persia, Put, Sheba, Tarshish, Tubal
Topics
Air, Along, Animals, Ascents, Beast, Beasts, Birds, Cliffs, Collapse, Creature, Creep, Creeping, Crumble, Face, Fall, Fallen, Falleth, Falling, Field, Fish, Fishes, Fowl, Fowls, Ground, Heaven, Heavens, Mankind, Mountains, Moves, Moving, Overturned, Pathways, Places, Presence, Quake, Rushed, Shake, Shaking, Sky, Steep, Surface, Thrown, Tremble, Tumble, Wall
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 38:20

     4266   sea

Ezekiel 38:14-23

     6702   peace, destruction

Ezekiel 38:18-22

     9155   millennium

Ezekiel 38:18-23

     1025   God, anger of
     8370   zeal
     9220   day of the LORD

Ezekiel 38:19-20

     4820   earthquake

Library
The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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