Can These Dry Bones Live? (Ezekiel 37:1–14)
Have you ever felt like things were too far gone to be fixed? Like a situation in your life was so broken or hopeless that nothing could change it? That’s exactly how the people of Israel felt during the time of the prophet Ezekiel.
They had lost their homes, their freedom, and their hope. But in Ezekiel 37:1–14, God gave Ezekiel a powerful vision to show that nothing is ever too dead for God to bring back to life.
Let’s take a closer look at this unforgettable story.
A Valley Full of Bones
God gives Ezekiel a vision and leads him to a valley. It’s not filled with people or plants—it’s filled with dry bones, scattered everywhere.
These bones aren’t just dead. They’re completely dried out, which means they’ve been dead for a very long time. It’s a picture of total hopelessness.
God Asks a Question
God asks Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?”
It’s a tough question. From a human point of view, the answer would be, “No way.” But Ezekiel answers wisely, saying, “Lord, only you know.” In other words, “If anyone can make this happen, it’s You.”
Speaking Life Over Dry Bones
Then God tells Ezekiel to do something strange: speak to the bones. He tells him to say, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. God will bring you back to life!”
So Ezekiel obeys. As he speaks, something amazing happens.
Bones Start Coming Together
Ezekiel hears a rattling sound. The bones start moving, connecting with one another. Muscles and skin cover them—but they still don’t breathe. They’re bodies now, not just bones, but they’re not alive yet.
God Sends His Breath
Next, God tells Ezekiel to call for the breath—a word that can also mean spirit. Ezekiel does, and suddenly, breath enters the bodies. They come to life and stand up, forming a vast army.
What was once a pile of bones is now full of living people. It’s a complete transformation.
God Explains the Vision
God tells Ezekiel what it all means. The bones are the people of Israel. They had said, “Our hope is gone. We are cut off.” They felt dead inside.
But God says, “I will open your graves and bring you back. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live.”
It’s a promise of new life, restoration, and hope—even when things seem beyond repair.
What This Means for Us
This story isn’t just about bones. It’s about how God brings life where there is none. It’s a message of hope for anyone feeling discouraged, empty, or lost.
Here are a few reminders we can take from it:
- God can restore what feels broken or lost.
- There is no situation too dead for God to bring back to life.
- God’s Spirit gives us strength, courage, and hope.
- Even when we feel dry or hopeless, God is not finished with us.
Final Thoughts
Ezekiel stood in a valley full of dry bones and saw God bring them to life. Maybe today, you’re looking at a situation in your life that feels like that valley—dry, empty, and lifeless.
But just like in Ezekiel’s vision, God can breathe new life into your heart, your relationships, your dreams, and your future.
So the next time you feel like giving up, remember this story—and ask with faith:
“Can these dry bones live?”
Yes. With God, they can.
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.’ ”