What will the northern confederation notice about Israel before launching its attack?
The northern confederation will observe that Israel is a people dwelling in unwalled villages, living safely and securely without walls, bars, or gates. Seeing this apparent vulnerability, they will think an evil thought and launch a surprise attack, ascending like a storm against the land.
Les explains that the northern confederation will suddenly realize Israel is sitting there in relatively safe and secure, a people with unwalled villages, dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates. He notes this is a consortium of nations listed in the earlier verses, more than just the Russians. At the same time, God says things will come into their mind, and they will think an evil thought, saying, 'I will go up to the land of unwalled villages.' Les points out that now is the time for a surprise attack, and they will ascend like a storm, like a cloud to cover the land, a massive invasion army.