1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones.
2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry.
3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.”
4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.”
5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.
8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them.
9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O 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 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 indeed cut off.’
12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel.
13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.
14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.
15 The word of the Lord came to me:
16 “And you, son of man, take a stick and write on it, ‘For Judah, and the people of Israel associated with him’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph (the stick of Ephraim) and all the house of Israel associated with him.’”
17 And join them one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand.
18 And when your people say to you, ‘Will you not tell us what you mean by these?’
19 say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am about to take the stick of Joseph (that is in the hand of Ephraim) and the tribes of Israel associated with him. And I will join with it the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, that they may be one in my hand.
20 The sticks on which you write shall be in your hand before their eyes.
21 then say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land.
22 And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms.
23 They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions.
24 “My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes.”
25 They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children’s children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be their prince forever.
26 I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore.
27 My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
28 Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.
The True Meaning of Ezekiel 37
The book of Ezekiel was written by the prophet Ezekiel, who was a priest and a prophet during the Babylonian exile. He was among the first group of Israelites taken captive to Babylon in 597 BC, and he received his prophetic visions while living in exile. Ezekiel recounts a powerful vision in this chapter, which speaks to the hope of restoration for the people of Israel. The vision involves a valley filled with dry bones, representing the seemingly hopeless situation of the exiled Israelites. However, through the power of God’s Spirit, these bones are brought back to life, foreshadowing the eventual return of the Israelites to their homeland and the renewal of their relationship with God.
This vision echoes the themes of redemption and resurrection found throughout the Scriptures, such as in the book of Hosea, where God promises to “ransom them from the power of the grave” (Hosea 13:14). Ezekiel’s vision delves into this chapter, offering a message of hope and restoration for the people of God, even in the midst of their darkest circumstances.
Ezekiel 37:1-6
The prophet Ezekiel finds himself in the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37:1-6. This vision is significant as it symbolizes the restoration of Israel. The valley filled with dry bones represents the hopeless and desolate state of the people of Israel, who had been scattered and exiled due to their disobedience to God. The bones scattered in the valley serve as a poignant image of death and destruction, portraying the spiritual and physical decay of God’s people. Ezekiel looks upon these dry bones and is confronted with the enormity of the situation. The bones are not only dry but very many, signifying the vast number of people who had perished or were suffering in exile. This desperate scene emphasizes the need for divine intervention and restoration.
Ezekiel’s experience in the valley of dry bones is a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty and His ability to bring life out of death. God instructs Ezekiel in this vision to prophesy to the bones, commanding them to come to life. This symbolic action by Ezekiel reflects the role of prophets in delivering God’s message and bringing about transformation among the people.
The process of the bones coming together, being covered with sinews, flesh, and skin, and finally being infused with the breath of life exemplifies the miraculous power of God to restore what was once dead. It showcases God’s ability to bring hope to the hopeless and breathe new life into the most desolate of situations.
This passage in Ezekiel 37 highlights the theme of resurrection and renewal that runs throughout the Bible. It foreshadows the ultimate restoration that will come through Jesus Christ, who brings spiritual life to all who believe in Him. Just as the dry bones in the valley were brought back to life through the power of God’s word, believers are also called to proclaim the message of salvation and witness the transformation that only God can bring about.
Through Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness to His people, even in the midst of their disobedience and despair. It serves as a powerful lesson that no situation is too far gone for God to redeem and restore. This passage encourages us to have faith in God’s promises and to trust in His power to bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and light out of darkness.
Ezekiel 37:7-10
Ezekiel witnesses God’s divine power in action as a powerful and vivid imagery of a miraculous event unfolds in Ezekiel 37:7-10. Let’s break down this passage into sections for deeper analysis.
- “So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.”
Here, we see Ezekiel obediently following the command of the Lord to prophesy to the dry bones. A rattling sound is heard as Ezekiel speaks the word of God, and the bones start coming together, fitting bone to bone. This symbolizes the power of God’s Word to bring life and unity even to the most hopeless and lifeless situations. It serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God’s Word in bringing resurrection and restoration to a desolate and broken world.
-
“And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. The bones are now covered with sinews, flesh, and skin in this part of the passage, signifying a complete transformation from a state of complete desolation to one of wholeness and completeness. However, they are still lifeless as there is no breath in them. This can be seen as a metaphor for the need for the breath of God, the Holy Spirit, to bring true life and vitality. It echoes the creation story in Genesis where God breathed life into Adam, emphasizing the divine source of life itself.
-
“Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live. God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath, calling forth the life-giving Spirit to breathe life into the lifeless bodies in this section. The emphasis here is on the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing about spiritual renewal, revival, and resurrection. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of the Holy Spirit in bringing true life and vitality to our spiritual walk. The imagery of the breath coming from the four winds symbolizes the universal reach and power of God’s Spirit to bring life to all.
-
“So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. Ezekiel obediently prophesies to the breath, leading to the life-giving Spirit entering the bodies, causing them to come to life and stand on their feet in this concluding section. The once lifeless bones have now been transformed into an army, symbolizing strength, unity, and purpose. This demonstrates the power of God to resurrect that which was dead and to bring forth new life, hope, and purpose. It also points to the ultimate resurrection of believers and the fulfillment of God’s promises of restoration and redemption. The passage in Ezekiel 37:7-10 conveys a message of hope, renewal, and resurrection through the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. It serves as a profound reminder of God’s ability to bring life to the lifeless, unity to the broken, and purpose to the purposeless. It also points to the ultimate resurrection and restoration that believers can look forward to in Christ. The imagery and symbolism in this passage are rich and profound, emphasizing the transformative and life-giving power of God in every aspect of our lives.
Ezekiel 37:11-14
God shows the prophet Ezekiel a vision in Ezekiel 37:11-14, where he is transported to a valley full of dry bones. This vision symbolizes the spiritual and physical restoration of Israel. The valley of dry bones represents the state of hopelessness and despair that the Israelites found themselves in – they were in exile, scattered, and felt spiritually dead. However, God promises restoration and resurrection to His people through Ezekiel. God asks Ezekiel in verse 11 if these bones can live. This question challenges Ezekiel to have faith and believe in the power of God to bring life to what seems dead and hopeless. It serves as a reminder that nothing is impossible for God, and He has the ability to breathe life into any situation, no matter how dire it may seem. This verse emphasizes the importance of faith and belief in God’s miraculous capabilities. God explains to Ezekiel in verses 12-13 that the bones represent the whole house of Israel, who feel dried up and without hope. The bones being brought back to life signifies the restoration of Israel and the gathering of the people from exile. This restoration is not only physical but also spiritual, emphasizing God’s desire to revive His people both inwardly and outwardly. This passage highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Israel and His promise to never forsake them, even in their darkest moments.
Verse 14 contains one of the most powerful declarations in this passage, where God declares, “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live.” This emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit in bringing about revival and renewal. The Spirit of God is the source of life, hope, and transformation. It is through the working of the Holy Spirit that the dry bones are brought back to life, signifying a spiritual resurrection of Israel. This verse foreshadows the coming of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, where believers are filled with the Spirit for empowerment and renewal. This passage in Ezekiel 37 connects to the theme of restoration and renewal found throughout the Old and New Testaments in the broader context of the Bible. The image of dry bones coming to life parallels the concept of spiritual rebirth and resurrection in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus says in John 5:25, “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.”” This echoes the imagery of Ezekiel’s vision, where God’s word brings life to the lifeless bones. God’s ability to bring restoration, renewal, and revival to His people is powerfully reminded in Ezekiel 37:11-14. It emphasizes the importance of faith, the work of the Holy Spirit, and God’s faithfulness to His promises. Just as God brought life to the dry bones in the valley, He can bring life to any situation of desolation or despair, offering hope and new beginnings to those who trust in Him.
Ezekiel 37:15-19
The passage in Ezekiel 37:15-19 discusses the prophecy of the two sticks coming together, symbolizing the reunification of the divided kingdom of Israel. This imagery of the two sticks is a powerful symbol of unity, reconciliation, and restoration that was promised by God through the prophet Ezekiel. The Lord instructed Ezekiel to take two sticks, one for Judah and one for Joseph, representing the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel. These two kingdoms had been divided after the reign of King Solomon due to their disobedience and idolatry.
The Lord told Ezekiel to join the two sticks together in his hand, signifying that He would bring both kingdoms back together as one nation under His reign. This union was a reflection of God’s promise to restore His people, to be their God, and for them to be His people once again. Through this symbolic act, God was showing His people that despite their past sins and division, He was faithful to His promises and would bring about unity and wholeness.
This prophecy not only spoke to the physical restoration of the nation of Israel but also to the spiritual restoration of God’s people. It foreshadowed the ultimate reconciliation and unity that would be brought about through Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul refers to this theme of unity in the New Testament when he speaks about Jews and Gentiles being reconciled through Christ and becoming one body (Ephesians 2:14-16).
The message of the two sticks coming together serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness, His ability to bring healing to broken relationships, and His power to reunite what was once divided. It also points to the importance of unity among God’s people, as Jesus prayed for unity among believers in John 17:20-23. Ezekiel 37:15-19 teaches us about God’s sovereignty in bringing about restoration and reconciliation, His faithfulness to His promises, and the importance of unity among His people. It is a powerful reminder that no division is too great for God to heal and that through Him, all things can be made whole.
Ezekiel 37:20-23
The prophet Ezekiel delivers a powerful and symbolic prophecy in Ezekiel 37:20-23. Let’s break down this verse to understand its significance:
-
“And the sticks on which you write shall be in your hand before their eyes.”
This verse refers to the prophet Ezekiel being instructed to take two sticks and write on them. This act was a visual representation to vividly convey a message to the divided nation of Israel. One stick represented the southern kingdom of Judah, which consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, along with some Levites. The other stick represented the northern kingdom of Israel, which consisted of the other ten tribes. He symbolically demonstrated the reunification of Israel as one nation by holding these sticks in his hand. This act emphasized the importance of unity among God’s people and the restoration of the divided kingdom. -
“And say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land.”
This part of the verse reinforces the promise of God to regather the dispersed Israelites from all the nations where they had been scattered. This prophecy was fulfilled partially when Cyrus, the king of Persia, allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple after the Babylonian exile. However, this prophecy has a deeper spiritual meaning as well, pointing towards the ultimate regathering of God’s people in the future. This reunification highlights God’s faithfulness to His covenant people and His redemptive plan throughout history. -
“And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms.”
This verse speaks of the unification of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah under one king. Historically, people may have initially seen this as a reference to the restoration of a physical kingdom. However, in a deeper spiritual sense, this points towards the reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would come to rule over all of God’s people. This unity under one king represents the fulfillment of God’s promise of a Messianic kingdom where there is no division or strife among His people. This verse foreshadows the ultimate reconciliation and unity found in Christ as stated in Ephesians 2:14, “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. Ezekiel 37:20-23 is a profound passage that addresses the physical restoration of Israel and signifies a deeper spiritual truth about the unity, regathering, and ultimate reign of God’s people under the authority of the Messiah. It emphasizes God’s faithfulness, His redemptive plan, and the promise of a future restoration for His people. This passage ultimately points towards the hope and unity that believers find in Jesus Christ, the King who unites and reigns over His people.
Ezekiel 37:24-28
The Lord speaks through the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37:24-28, outlining His plans for His people. Let’s break down this passage into its important sections for a detailed analysis.
First, in verse 24, the Lord declares, “My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees.” Here, the mention of David as king is a symbolic reference to the coming Messiah, who would be from the line of David. This verse points towards Jesus Christ, the ultimate Shepherd and King, who would gather His people and lead them in righteousness. This idea of a singular shepherd echoes the famous imagery in Psalm 23, where the Lord is seen as the shepherd who guides and protects His flock.
Moving on to verse 25, the Lord states, “They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your ancestors lived. They and their children and their children’s children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever.” This promise of eternal inheritance in the land of their forefathers carries immense significance. It echoes the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, promising them a land for their descendants. This continuity of God’s promise through the generations emphasizes His faithfulness and commitment to His chosen people. The Lord affirms in verse 26, “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant.” I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever.” Here, the theme of peace and restoration is prominent. The concept of an everlasting covenant reflects God’s unchanging nature and His desire for a restored relationship with His people. The mention of the sanctuary among them is reminiscent of the presence of God in the midst of His people, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers after the resurrection of Christ.
Lastly, in verses 27-28, the Lord declares, “My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy when my sanctuary is among them forever.” These verses highlight the ultimate purpose of God’s covenant with His people – to dwell in their midst and be their God. Through this relationship, the nations would witness the holiness of God and His faithfulness to His promises. This echoes God’s intention for His people to be a light to the nations, as seen in passages like Isaiah 49:6, where Israel is called to be a light for the Gentiles. Ezekiel 37:24-28 proclaims God’s redemptive plan for His people, culminating in the fulfillment of His promises through the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It emphasizes themes of shepherding, inheritance, peace, and the indwelling presence of God. This passage not only speaks to the restoration of Israel but also points to the universal impact of God’s covenant relationship with His people. It underscores the timeless message of God’s faithfulness, His desire for relationship with humanity, and His ultimate plan for redemption through Christ.
After Ezekiel 37
The powerful vision of the valley of dry bones coming to life at the command of the Lord was witnessed in this chapter. Through Ezekiel’s obedience and faith, we saw how God can breathe new life into the most hopeless situations. Just as the bones were brought together, sinews attached, and breath breathed into them, we are reminded of God’s ability to restore and renew even the most broken parts of our lives. Reflect on the miraculous transformation of the dry bones as we trust in the Lord’s power to bring life to the lifeless areas of our own existence. God can bring hope and restoration to the valley of dry bones, so let us not lose hope in the face of desolation. We should hold on to the promise of God’s life-giving spirit as we move forward and look forward to the new beginnings He has in store for us.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.