Scripture reading – Ezekiel 37
Ezekiel 37 – A Vision and Picture of Israel and Judah’s Resurrection and Reunification
Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones has captured the imagination of believers through the centuries. The prophet declared “the hand of the LORD” carried him “in the spirit of the LORD, and set [him] down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones” (Ezekiel 37:1).
A Valley Full of Dead Men’s Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-2)
The valley of bones was a picture of death, and we read Ezekiel walked among the bones (Ezekiel 37:2a). The bones in the valley were “many” and “very dry” (for there was no life in the bones, Ezekiel 37:2).
Ezekiel’s Commission (Ezekiel 37:3-10)
What purpose might a prophet serve in a valley of dead men’s bones? The LORD asked Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?” (Ezekiel 37:3a) The prophet wisely answered the LORD, “O Lord God, thou knowest” (Ezekiel 37:3b). The LORD then commanded Ezekiel, “Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord” (Ezekiel 37:4).
Echoing a preacher’s commission, Ezekiel was commanded to call upon the dead, and the LORD promised, “Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live” (Ezekiel 37:5). With the LORD’s assurance that He would bring the bones together, and cover them with flesh and skin (Ezekiel 37:6), Ezekiel prophesied! (Ezekiel 37:7a)
Suddenly, there was a great stirring of bones in the valley, as men’s bones (perhaps some slain in battle and left there) began to “come together, bone to his bone” (Ezekiel 37:7b). When the bodies were covered with muscle and skin, Ezekiel observed, “there was no breath in them” (Ezekiel 37:8).
Therefore, the LORD commanded the prophet to summon the wind to “come from the four winds” (symbolic of the Spirit of God) and “breathe upon these slain, that they may live” (Ezekiel 37:9). Ezekiel obeyed, “and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army” (Ezekiel 37:10). Wow! What an incredible display of God’s power!
Interpretation of the Vision (Ezekiel 37:11-14)
What was this valley of dry bones? It was symbolic of “the whole house of Israel” (the northern and southern kingdoms) that were exiled and scattered among the nations (Ezekiel 37:11). What was the message for the people of the captivity?
God was not finished with Israel, and He would revive and resurrect Israel from the grave of captivity(Ezekiel 37:12). The LORD would return Israel to her land as He promised (Ezekiel 37:13-14a). What the LORD promised He would complete! (Ezekiel 37:14)
A Vision of Two Sticks Joined Together: Israel and Judah will Be Reunited and Become One Nation (Ezekiel 37:15-28)
With the news that Jerusalem was destroyed, the future looked bleak for the Jews of the captivity. To give the people hope, Ezekiel was commanded to use an illustration of two sticks he joined together, symbolizing the reunification of Israel and Judah as one nation and one king (Ezekiel 37:19-23).
Who was the king? The Scriptures reveal that He would be one of David’s lineage and reign as “prince forever” (Ezekiel 37:24-25). This prophecy will be fulfilled when Christ returns to reign in Jerusalem during His millennial kingdom. On that day, He will dwell among men “and will be their God, and they shall be [His]people” (Ezekiel 37:27).
What a glorious day that will be!
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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