According to Les Feldick, 'unwalled villages' depicts Israel as having no visible self-defense, feeling secure under a future covenant with a foreign power.
In ancient times, walls were a city's primary defense. Les interprets this phrase as describing a future time when Israel, feeling protected by an outside treaty, becomes complacent and lets down its military guard. This apparent vulnerability invites attack from a northern confederation.
Ezekiel 38:11 — This verse directly mentions 'the land of unwalled villages,' the phrase in question.
In Ezekiel 38:11, the prophet writes, 'And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates.' This description occurs in a prophecy about a future invasion of Israel by a coalition led by Gog. The Bible presents Israel as dwelling without walls, bars, or gates—indicating a state of perceived peace and security. This condition is presented as making Israel an attractive target for attack.
Les Feldick teaches that the phrase 'a land of unwalled villages' is a picture of Israel in a future time of false security. He explains that in the ancient world, a wall was a city's primary defense. Therefore, unwalled villages represent a people who are exposed and militarily unprotected. Les connects this to a future period when Israel believes its safety is guaranteed by an outside political and military power through a seven-year treaty. The nation would become complacent and drop its guard, feeling no need to sustain a massive army. This vulnerability would invite an attack from the northern confederacy.
Les Feldick indicates that Israel's unwalled state results from a false sense of security. He pictures Israel as sitting like 'red wasps on their comb'—aggressive if provoked, but otherwise quiet. The nation would believe that its safety is ensured by an outside power through a treaty, leading to complacency and a lack of visible defense.
The lack of visible defenses would make Israel appear vulnerable to enemy nations. In contrast, Les notes that present-day Israel is a formidable opponent, but in the future scenario, Israel's own complacency would make it an attractive target for the northern confederation. The invaders would see a nation that believes it is safe.
Les Feldick points out that Israel today is not like the 'unwalled villages.' He describes Israel as a nation that would fiercely defend itself, but in the future, the situation will change. The nation will drop its guard, trusting in an outside agreement rather than its own military strength.
Ezekiel 38 Context
Les introduces the study of Ezekiel 38 and emphasizes that he wants listeners to see what the book says, setting the stage for interpreting the 'unwalled villages' prophecy.
Noah’s Ark: How Did All the Animals Fit? (Genesis 6-7)
So even though the nation of Israel is predominantly mountainous, you have these valley areas naturally between the various mountain ranges. Now the reason I'm pointing this out is that when God brings the armies of the world to Israel, naturally they're going to put their encampments on those valley floors. And this area of the Valley of Ezdralon has been a battlefield throughout the millennia.
Ezekiel 37 Explained: Israel's Dry Bones Prophecy Fulfilled?
This is dealing with the nation of Israel as they are scattered out amongst the Gentile nations, at least at this time, without a land, without an altar, without a priesthood, which of course we know has been the lot of the Jew ever since 70 A.D. But it's not going to stay that way. Alright, now let's read on. Verse 2, "...
What Really Happens at Armageddon — Revelation 16 & 19
So even though the nation of Israel is predominantly mountainous, you have these valley areas naturally between the various mountain ranges. Now the reason I'm pointing this out is that when God brings the armies of the world to Israel, naturally they're going to put their encampments on those valley floors. And this area of the Valley of Ezdralon has been a battlefield throughout the millennia.
Israel's Complacency
Les compares Israel to 'red wasps on their comb,' illustrating that while they are aggressive when attacked, they will be sitting quietly in a false sense of security prior to the invasion.
Modern Weapons in Prophecy
Les applies Ezekiel's ancient language to modern military equipment, showing that the invasion involves Israel's lack of defense and the burning of weapons, reinforcing the concept of vulnerability.
Ezekiel 37 Explained: Israel's Dry Bones Prophecy Fulfilled?
Now a bunch of us were in Israel not too long ago, and of course we just had a blast, didn't we? But our guide pointed to the Valley of Kidron, and he made reference to this chapter that this is what the Jews call the Valley of Dry Bones. And of course there are multitudes of graves as you look from Mount of Olives down across the Kidron Valley up to the old wall.
Wild Olive Tree Grafted In — What Romans 11 Says About Gentiles
Now whenever you think of Israel coming back from the dead, I want you to immediately think of one chapter especially in the Old Testament, Ezekiel 37. We won't look it up, because as soon as I give you a little idea what's in it, you'll know it. Ezekiel 37, the dry bones, and Ezekiel saw that valley filled with dry bones. They were very dry, they had been there so long they were white as snow.
Ezekiel 38:11: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
This is the key verse describing the condition of Israel that makes it a target for the invasion.
In the Bible, 'unwalled villages' refers to towns or settlements without protective walls. In ancient times, walls were essential for defense, so their absence indicated vulnerability and a lack of military protection.
According to Les Feldick, this describes a future time when Israel feels secure because of a treaty with a foreign power, leading them to let down their guard and neglect their own defense.
Watch the Teaching: Ezekiel 38–39 & Revelation 6: Russia's Invasion of Israel Explained