Ezekiel 37

Ezekiel 37:1

E. The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (37:1-14)37:1-8 In the vision of verses 1 and 2, Ezekiel saw the dry . . . bones of Israel and Judah in a valley. He was ordered to prophesy to the bones that they would come to life. Yates makes an application to our own need of the breath of life today: With weirdness, realism and dramatic force the prophet presents the heartening news that Israel may hope to live. A revival is possible! Even dry bones, without sinew and flesh and blood, can live. The coming of God’s Spirit brings life. The same thrilling truth is still needed in a world that has dry bones everywhere. What we need is to have the Holy Spirit come with His quickening power that a genuine revival may sweep the earth. (Cf. also Gen_2:7; Rev_11:11.) The first time he spoke the Word of God, the sinews, flesh . . . and . . . skin came upon the bones. 37:9-14 The next time he prophesied to the wind or breath, and the breath came into the bodies. This pictured the national restoration of Israel (vv. 11-14), first the restoration of a people spiritually dead, and then their regeneration. We should notice the parallel in our own regeneration. There must be the word of the Lord (v. 4) and the Spirit (breath) of God (v. 9).

Ezekiel 37:15

F. The Reunification of Israel and Judah (37:15-28)37:15-23 Ezekiel was next commanded to take two sticks, one representing Judah and the other Israel (Joseph or Ephraim). By holding them end to end, he joined them . . . into one stick. This meant that the two kingdoms, torn apart in the days of Rehoboam, would be reunited. One king (the Messiah) would reign over them, and they would be saved, cleansed, and restored. 37:24-28 David (here the Lord Jesus) would be the king, and the people would obey Him implicitly. God would make an everlasting covenant . . . of peace with them, and the temple would be set in their midst. This is still future. This and the following chapter foretell the destruction of Israel’s future enemies. Gog is the leader of the foes, and Magog is his land. Bible students do not agree on the identity of Gog. Apparently the time of the events described here is after Israel will return to the land but before the Millennium. The Gog and Magog described in Rev_20:8, however, belong to the period after the Millennium.