The Allied Invasion of Israel of Ezekiel 38 & 39 Part 4 of 7

The invaders. But Russia is not alone in the invasion of Israel. She is part of a confederacy and the leader of it. Other nations are listed in verses 5-6. Involved in the confederacy is Persia, or present day Iran. Once, Iran was generally pro-western and pro-Israel; after the Khomeini Islamic revolution, Iran became anti-western and anti-Israel and more within the Russian sphere of influence. Israel and now the United States consider Iran their most dangerous enemy. Another nation involved is one called Cush. In the Bible there were two places that had that name. One was in Mesopotamia (Gen 2:13). But all other usages of this word refer to Ethiopia. While looking at current events, it is tempting to identify it with the Mesopotamian countries of Syria and Iraq. Consistent with the usage of the word “Cush” elsewhere in the Scriptures demands its identification with Ethiopia. Current events must never be the basis for interpreting Scripture.
Put is mentioned next, which is not Libya (for which the name Lub would be used), but Somaliland or Somalia. Somalia borders Ethiopia. This is followed by Gomer, located in present day Germany. This too was the rabbinic view. The Midrash calls Gomer Germania. And that is also the way the Talmud refers to Gomer. The last name is Togarmah, which is present day Armenia.