*Ezekiel 37:1-14
Ezekiel receives a vision of a valley filled with dry bones that are miraculously brought back to life, symbolizing the future restoration of Israel.
- The Valley of Dry Bones:
- The passage begins with the prophet Ezekiel finding himself in the midst of a valley filled with dry bones, scattered across the ground.
- The Lord asks Ezekiel if these bones can live, to which Ezekiel responds, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
- Prophetic Command:
- The Lord commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, declaring that He will make breath enter them so they may come to life.
- Ezekiel obeys the Lord’s command and prophesies to the bones, proclaiming the word of the Lord over them.
- Transformation:
- As Ezekiel prophesies, there is a rattling noise, and the bones come together, bone to bone, forming complete skeletons.
- Muscles and flesh cover the bones, but they are still lifeless, lacking breath.
- The Breath of Life:
- The Lord commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath, saying, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.”
- Ezekiel prophesies as commanded, and breath enters the bodies, bringing them to life, standing on their feet as a vast army.
- Interpretation:
- The Lord explains to Ezekiel that the bones represent the people of Israel, who say, “Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.”
- The Lord promises to open their graves and bring them up from them, restoring them to the land of Israel.
- Promise of Restoration:
- The Lord declares that He will put His Spirit in them, and they will live, settling in their own land, knowing that He has spoken and will act.
- The people will no longer defile themselves with idols and detestable practices but will be cleansed, and God will be their God, and they will be His people.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 teaches us that God can bring new life and hope to even the most hopeless situations. Just as God breathed life into dry bones, He can restore our brokenness and renew our spirits. This reminds us that no matter how tough things get or how impossible change seems, God’s power can transform our lives. We should trust Him to revive our hearts, bring healing, and give us the strength to keep moving forward, believing that He can make all things new.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 (WEB)
37:1 The LORD’s hand was on me, and he brought me out in the LORD’s Spirit, and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 He caused me to pass by them all around; and behold, there were very many in the open valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”I answered, “Lord GOD, you know.”4 Again he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, ‘You dry bones, hear the LORD’s word. 5 The Lord GOD says to these bones: “Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you will live. 6 I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you will live. Then you will know that I am the LORD.” ’ ”7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. As I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, there was an earthquake. Then the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ”10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost. We are completely cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and tell them, ‘The Lord GOD says: “Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 You will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, my people. 14 I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live. Then I will place you in your own land; and you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.’ ”