The Last Enemies (Chs. 38, 39). 

        Instead of letting themselves be guided by Rev. 20:7ff, many prophetic expositors have been misled by the apparent relationship of these chapters to ch. 40 seq., and have placed ch. 38f first in time. Between 33:21 and 40:1 over twelve or thirteen years elapse (see above on ch. 33). If Josephus is to be trusted, chs. 40-48 may very well originally have appeared as a separate book. It is therefore much wiser to see in ch. 38f the great final rebellion against God foretold in Rev. 20:7ff. This seems to be borne out by verses like 38:8, 11, 12, 14, 17.

        We do not intend to discuss the various identifications of the names in these chapters. It seems, however, most in keeping both with the general language of these chapters, and with the symbolic nature of the book in general, to look upon them not so much as a definite prophecy of identifiable nations, but rather as symbolic names for the nations at the ends of the earth.

        39:25 is not necessarily in conflict with the above tentative explanation. “I will bring again the captivity of Jacob” has no linguistic connexion with “went into captivity” (39:23). A far more probable translation is: “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob.”

        Contrary to popular exegesis, Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, so far from opposing the unprovoked assault, seem to be eager to share in the spoils (38:13).

        Ezekiel’s vision of the restored community ends with the Spirit of God on the House of Israel (39:29), which is therefore a transformed community.