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EZEKIEL AND THE DRY BONES

EZEKIEL AND THE DRY BONES: The Resurrection of the Nation and the Certainty of God’s Spirit 💀

1. Introduction: The Vision of National Death

The vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) is one of the most powerful prophecies in the Old Testament. It was given to Ezekiel during the Babylonian Exile, when the nation of Israel felt utterly hopeless, cut off from their land and their covenant.

  • The Context: The bones represented the “whole house of Israel” (Ezekiel 37:11), who despairingly declared, “Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!” The nation was spiritually dead, politically scattered, and without life.
  • The Question: God asked Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?” This question highlights the impossibility of national revival by human means alone.
  • Key Concept: The vision establishes the principle of Divine Restoration—that God’s power is absolute, capable of bringing life to the dead and fulfilling His promises for national restoration, which is prerequisite to the Lord’s Return.

2. The Mandate: Prophesying to the Powerless

The resurrection of the nation required not human strategy or military might, but simple, faith-filled proclamation of God’s Word.

The Stage of the MiracleEzekiel’s Action (Prophetic Obedience)Prophetic Parallel (Our Readiness)
The Word is PreachedEzekiel prophesied to the bones and heard a rattling sound as the bones came together, each to its proper bone.The Power of the Word: The Word of God has the creative power to initiate life and order, even in the most chaotic or dead situation.
The Flesh ReturnsSinews, flesh, and skin covered the reconstructed bodies, but there was no breath in them.Incomplete Restoration: Political and physical restoration (like the modern return to the land) is necessary, but it is insufficient without the Spirit.
The Breath of LifeEzekiel prophesied to the wind (or Spirit), and breath entered the bodies, standing up as an exceedingly great army.The Final Revival: The ultimate spiritual restoration of Israel will occur when the Holy Spirit is poured out on them, transforming them into God’s victorious army (Zechariah 12:10).

3. The Divine Intervention: Sovereign Act of the Spirit

The vision concludes with God confirming the literal, spiritual reality of the prophecy: He will personally act to restore His people.

  • God’s Declaration: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel” (Ezekiel 37:12). This promise is both a national and a literal resurrection promise.
  • The Resulting Knowledge: The goal of the entire act: “Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” declares the LORD (Ezekiel 37:14). God performs His promises so that His people may know and fear Him.
  • The Rule Restored: This restored nation will live under the protection and rule of the Great Shepherd, Christ, who will finally establish His sanctuary in their midst forever (Ezekiel 37:26-27).

4. Prophetic Echo: The Final Resurrection

The Valley of Dry Bones is a guarantee of both the national salvation of Israel and the bodily resurrection of all the saints.

  • National Restoration: The vision assures that Israel’s rejection is not final (Romans 11). The nation will be spiritually revived and permanently secured in their land before the Millennial Reign.
  • Bodily Resurrection: The physical coming together of bones and flesh is the most powerful image of the future bodily resurrection of believers, confirming that the redemption of the saints is physical and total.
  • The Army of the King: The revived nation is not a group of passive settlers, but a powerful, spiritual army ready to serve the returning King and participate in the global enforcement of the Rule Restored.

5. Conclusion: Hope in the Hopeless

The Valley of Dry Bones is the ultimate antidote to despair and the basis for our hope in a resurrected future.

  • The Call to Readiness: Our Watchfulness and Readiness is fueled by the assurance that God specializes in bringing life to the dead. No spiritual or political situation is beyond His power to revive.
  • Your Action: Live with unshakable hope. Prophesy the life-giving Word into your own “dry bones” and into the “dead” areas of the world. Trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to complete the promised resurrection and bring the entire house of the Lord to life at the Lord’s Return.