Ezekiel 37:1-28
Q.1. What was the vision of the valley of dry bones supposed to convey to the prophet and the nation? – (Ezk.37:1-14)
The vision of a valley of dry bones indicated that all life has gone and there is no hope. Ezekiel probably felt that way about his people’s future. However, to Ezekiel’s great amazement, God revealed that He is far from finished with these bleached bones (Ezk.37:1-5). The prophet was commanded to prophecy over the bones. In response God promised – I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive … (Ezk.37:6). He told the prophet that He was going to bring the bones back together through His Word – 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them (Ezk.37:7-8). God clearly identified the vision as representing the – whole house of Israel … who believe they are completely cut off (Ezk.37:11 c.f. Rom.11:23-27). However, God has not finished with Israel yet – 13 You will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come of your graves, My people. 14 I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it, declares the Lord (Ezk.37:14). The rebirth of modern-day Israel is a true miracle of God.
Q.2. What was God’s answer to the claim by Israel’s detractors that they could never be reunited? – (Ezk.37:15-23)
God instructed the prophet to bind two sticks together in order to illustrate that God would reunite Judah and Israel (Ezk.37:15-20). He was told – 21 … `Thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; 22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations and no longer be divided into two kingdoms’ (Ezk.37:21-22). The Lord will do a great work in them so that – they will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with their transgressions … I will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God (Ezk.37:23).
Q.3. What blessings can the united nation of Israel look forward to? How long will this blessing last? – (Ezk.37:24-28)
A united Judah and Israel will dwell as an obedient people in harmony in the land – and David My servant will be their Prince forever (Ezk.37:24-25). However, it gets better – I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. I will place them and multiply them and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever (Ezk.37:26). His people will be recognized as the people of God to the praise of His name – My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people (Ezk.37:27). Just as God saves sinners by His grace, so He achieves His original purpose for forming Israel as His people, to the praise of the nations (Ezk.37:28).