Reading for April 28th

Read Ezekiel 39.1-16
Unburied corpses on the mountains recall the imagery of the vision of dry bones (37.1-14),
the death of the Babylonian king in the open (Isa 14.3-23), and the defeat of Assyria on the mountains of Israel (Isa 14.24-27).
The victory fires that burn for seven years throughout the land recall the seven year sabbatical agricultural and economic cycle (Lev 25.1-7; Ex 23.10-11; 21.1-6; Deut 15.1-18).
The burial of Gog constitutes the final stage of the cleansing of the land of Israel prior to its restoration.
The Valley of the Travelers or the "Valley of those who pass by" is apparently a wordplay
on the Valley of Abarim east of the Dead Sea.
Hebrew for "travelers, passersby" is "ha'obrim."
The Valley of Hamon-gog, "the valley of the horde of Gog," is a wordplay on the
Valley of Hinnom, southwest of Jerusalem, which was known for idolatry,
the burning of children, and dead bodies(2 Kings 23.10; Jer 7.30-34).
The seven months of burial purify the land so that God's glory or presence may appear.
Hamonah: "horde."
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