What does Ezekiel 37:1-14 describe?

Ezekiel 37:1-14 is one of the most vivid and powerful passages in the Old Testament, often referred to as the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones. This passage is a profound depiction of God's power to restore and revitalize His people, even when they are in the most desperate and lifeless of situations. Let's delve into this scripture to understand its context, its message, and its significance.

Context and Background

Ezekiel was a prophet during a time of great turmoil for the Israelites. He was among the exiles taken to Babylon in the early 6th century BCE. The people of Israel were in a state of despair, having been conquered by the Babylonians, their temple destroyed, and their land taken from them. They felt cut off from God and from their identity as His chosen people. It is within this context of desolation and hopelessness that Ezekiel receives his vision.

The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones

The passage begins with Ezekiel being transported by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with dry bones. The imagery is stark and haunting, symbolizing the utter desolation and death that had befallen the people of Israel. The bones are described as "very dry," emphasizing that they had been dead for a long time and that any hope of life seemed utterly extinguished.

"The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry." (Ezekiel 37:1-2, NIV)

God then asks Ezekiel a seemingly impossible question: "Son of man, can these bones live?" Ezekiel wisely responds, "Sovereign Lord, you alone know." This response acknowledges God's omnipotence and the mystery of His will.

Prophesying to the Bones

God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, telling them to hear the word of the Lord. As Ezekiel speaks, a miraculous transformation begins to occur. The bones come together, bone to bone, and are covered with tendons, flesh, and skin. However, there is still no breath in them.

"So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them." (Ezekiel 37:7-8, NIV)

God then instructs Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath, or the spirit, to come from the four winds and breathe into these slain, so that they may live. As Ezekiel obeys, breath enters the bodies, and they come to life and stand on their feet—a vast army.

"So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army." (Ezekiel 37:10, NIV)

Interpretation of the Vision

God explains the meaning of the vision to Ezekiel. The bones represent the whole house of Israel, who are saying, "Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off." God promises to open their graves and bring them back to the land of Israel. He will put His Spirit in them, and they will live. This is a message of hope and restoration.

"Then he said to me: 'Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’" (Ezekiel 37:11-14, NIV)

Theological Significance

The vision of the Valley of Dry Bones is rich with theological meaning. It underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to bring life out of death. The dry bones symbolize not only the physical death and exile of Israel but also their spiritual death and separation from God. The restoration of the bones to life signifies God's promise to restore Israel both physically and spiritually.

This passage also foreshadows the resurrection and the new life that God offers through Jesus Christ. Just as God breathed life into the dry bones, He breathes new life into us through the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul echoes this theme in the New Testament, where he speaks of the resurrection power of the Spirit:

"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you." (Romans 8:11, NIV)

Application for Today

For contemporary believers, Ezekiel 37:1-14 offers a powerful message of hope and renewal. It reminds us that no situation is too dire for God to redeem. When we face moments of despair, feeling like our hope is dried up and we are cut off from God, we can trust in His power to restore us. God's Spirit can breathe new life into our circumstances, our relationships, and our spiritual walk.

This passage also calls us to be instruments of God's restoration. Just as Ezekiel was commanded to prophesy to the bones, we are called to speak life and hope into the lives of those around us. We are to be bearers of God's word, proclaiming His promises and His power to restore and renew.

Conclusion

Ezekiel 37:1-14 is a profound testament to God's power to bring life out of death and hope out of despair. It is a vivid reminder of His sovereignty and His faithfulness to His promises. As we meditate on this passage, let us be encouraged by the knowledge that God is always at work, even in the most hopeless of situations, and let us be inspired to share His life-giving message with the world.