Sadly, that particular Temple was never built because the people never met the if/then requirement of the Lord recorded in Ezekiel 43:11. But Ezekiel sees a two-stage miracle. 37:1 The LORD laid his hand on me and brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD to the middle of a valley that was filled with bones. And the newly established church continued its tremendous growth throughout the book of Acts. Is it a witness of the Resurrection? He is commanded to carry a prophecy. Veronica Neffinger, When a Dream Dies - Encouragement for Today "On the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above itThis was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.". Find answers to your Bible questions with Bible Gateway Plus. As the fruits of the first resurrection. 37 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out [ a]by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. The most unusual chapter about the nations restoration, of course, is the vision of the valley of dry bones. Heaven? The landscape is filled with bleached bones to which Ezekiel is commanded to prophesy. and He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' 3. It is only because God has breathed his Spirit (breath) into me that I am alive. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Set me also appears in chapter 40. The transformation displayed by the dry bones and by the Jews at Pentecost is the same that each believer goes through. First, God creates the phenomenally complex human body with 100% of everything intact and ready to work. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. If only someone could have put a video camera in Ezekiels hands before Ezekiel 37:1-14. But something was missing. This sermon focuses on a vision of Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones. In the New Testament, written in Greek, the word pneuma carries the same meaning as the Hebrew ra. This tells us that the timing of this resurrection is after the thousand-year period known as the Millennium. Prophecy about Gog and Future Invasion of Israel. See also note 34:23. 7And I will make My (CJ)holy name known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not allow My holy name to be (CK)profaned anymore. We discern a nation's true condition (e.g., the . History and Bible prophecy show that the modern descendants of the other tribes of Israel stand clearly identified as the Americans, British Commonwealth and peoples of northwestern Europe. 2 He had me pass among them all around, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and behold, they were very dry. Before looking at Ezekiels vision and at Pentecost, it will be helpful to examine a couple of words that are used in these accounts. But the Valley of Dry Bones doesn't just speak of God's grace to Israel. This remarkable, comforting vision assures us that we will see them again! The Lords favorite phrase? A new province for traditionalists in the Church of England? 3 Then He said . Ezekiel then warns the kingdom of Judah of coming judgment (chapters 4-7), sees visions of the Lords glory departing from the Temple (chapters 8-11), continues to exhort the people of Judah to repent (chapters 12-24), and prophecies against other nations (chapters 25-32). Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - Bible Story, The Ten Commandments - Bible Verses and Importance Today, Parable of the Prodigal Son - Bible Story, The Resurrection of Jesus - Bible Story and Prophecy. God asks him whether they can come back to life. Israel may be physically reestablished - the dry bones of the post Holocaust people may have been restored - but the second stage of spiritual revival is only just starting to happen. gain access to 50+ premium resources to enhance your study of Scripture. 18You will (CX)eat the flesh of warriors and drink the blood of the leaders of the earth, as though they were (CY)rams, lambs, goats, and (CZ)bulls, all of them fattened livestock of (DA)Bashan. Those are not visible aspects of a person, but, nonetheless, are real. Ezekiel continued to have visions throughout his prophetic ministry. Is this great resurrection exclusively for Israel? What Does the Vision of the Valley of Dry Mean? Dimensions. God told Ezekiel that this valley of dry bones represented the exiled people of Israel. Last modified on December 13th, 2022. He asks Ezekiel if the bones can live. But there is life in our bones. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books [plural, the books of the Bible].". He has been a Bible teacher for over 40 years and regularly blogs atA Clay Jar. Without a camera, Ezekiel tried to use words to describe the bizarre nature of what he saw, heard, and experienced. 6 Im going to grow tendons on you, regenerate your flesh, cover you with skin, and make you breathe again so that you can come back to life and learn that I am the LORD.. With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! Answer: Yes, years later he walked through a conditionally promised new Temple. 15-17) with an interpretation in vv. Registered in England and Wales 5090917, Christian Today, International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2BN, When ministry turns toxic: How pastors can care too much for their congregations. ISBN-13. 166 pages. Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones - The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. And as Ezekiel does so, the bones begin to assembly into bodies. 14They will also select men who will constantly pass through the land, (CT)burying those who were passing through, those left on the surface of the ground, in order to cleanse it. There are other places where the form of religion is there, but the spirit is absent. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! How should we try to understand all of these tragic occurrences? What Ezekiel experiences produces a remarkably enduring story with a hope-filled message. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. 21And I will call for a (BY)sword against [x]him on all My mountains, declares the Lord God. Careful reading of Ezekiel's prophetic message will reveal that it was aimed mainly at the distant future, primarily directed to the end-time descendants of Israel. Ezekiel first warns the kingdom of Judah of coming judgment (chapters 4-7), sees visions of the Lords glory departing from the Temple (chapters 8-11), continues to exhort the people of Judah to repent (chapters 12-24), and prophecies against other nations (chapters 25-32). "The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones . 19In My (BU)zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will certainly be a great [v](BV)earthquake in the land of Israel. Now far separated from the temple in Jerusalem, how could his education and training be of any real value? He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! He is commanded to carry a prophecy and the bones connect into human figures, then become covered with flesh and skin. In chapters 3, 18, and 33, Ezekiel is solemnly charged with the responsibility of serving as a new watchman for the kingdom of Judah. 2He caused me to pass all around them, and behold, there were very many [human bones] in the open valley; and lo, they were very dry. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The Valley Of The Dry Bones Will Come Alive". John died on March 8, 2014, in Oxford, England, four days after suffering cardiac arrest while returning home from a press event in London. 6And I will send (CH)fire upon Magog and those who inhabit the (CI)coastlands in safety; and they will know that I am the Lord. 2He had me pass among them all around, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and behold, they were very dry. Israel's prophets aptly describe this long period of peace, prosperity and well-being. What exactly did Ezekiel experience? How dry they were! Ezekial 37 is when the vision takes place. Let's dive into the meaning behind this vision concerning the nation of Isreal and what does it mean for us today? The third wave of Jewish slaves or exiles taken by King Nebuchadnezzar was the start of a seventy year period that ended when, under Nehemiah, the walls of Jerusalem and the city began to be rebuilt. Try it free today! Thru the Bible - Dr. J. Vernon McGee. Answer: Its tempting to imagine Ezekiel putting on a VR headset at the beginning of this whole thing. 2. Ezekiel 37:1-14. . These are long, long dead. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Empty rituals are performed out of habit. What Are Prophets in the Bible? 28And the nations will know that I am the Lord (AM)who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.. 2:1). Proud member How did Ezekiel travel? Gen 2:7; Ps 104:29, 30; Ezek 37:9, 10, 14, Is 49:23; Ezek 35:9; 38:23; 39:6; Joel 2:27; 3:17, Deut 32:39; 1 Sam 2:6; Is 26:19; 66:14; Hos 13:14, Is 32:15; Ezek 11:19; 36:27; 37:6, 9; 39:29; Joel 2:28, 29; Zech 12:10, Is 11:13; Jer 50:4; Ezek 37:22-24; Hos 1:11; Zeph 3:9, Is 43:5, 6; Jer 29:14; Ezek 36:24; 39:27; Amos 9:14, 15, Ezek 38:3, 14, 16, 18; 39:1, 11; Rev 20:8, 2 Chr 36:20; Ezra 1:1; Ezek 27:10; Dan 8:20, Is 11:11; Ezek 36:24; 37:21; 38:12; 39:27, 28, Is 5:26-29; 34:1-6; 63:1-6; 66:15, 16; Joel 3:9-14, Deut 32:22; Ps 18:7, 8; Ezek 5:13; 36:5, 6; Nah 1:2; Heb 12:29, Judg 7:22; 1 Sam 14:20; 2 Chr 20:23; Hag 2:22, Ps 76:3; Jer 21:4, 5; Ezek 30:21-24; Hos 1:5, Ezek 30:8, 16; 38:19, 22; Amos 1:4, 7, 10; Nah 1:6, Is 56:9; Jer 12:9; Ezek 39:4; Rev 19:17, 18, Ps 76:5, 6; Ezek 38:4; Hag 2:22; Rev 19:18, Ex 9:16; Is 37:20; Ezek 36:23; 38:16, 23; 39:13, 2 Kin 17:7; Jer 2:17, 19; 4:18; Ezek 36:19, Jer 31:1; Ezek 36:10; 37:21, 22; Hos 1:11, NASB, The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible, Paperback: Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible, NASB, MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition, Comfort Print: Unleashing God's Truth One Verse at a Time, NASB, Thinline Bible, Large Print, Red Letter Edition, 1995 Text, Comfort Print, NASB, Zondervan NASB Study Bible, Red Letter Edition, NASB, Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, 2nd Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible, NASB, Thinline Bible, Red Letter Edition, 1995 Text, Comfort Print. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice" (John 5:25; John 5:28). Ezekiel's vision is a vision to encourage all of us. That is the day of which I have spoken. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. 2. 28Then they will know that I am the Lord their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then I gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer. Well see once were there! Remember that our loving Creator remains "the God of all flesh" (Jeremiah 32:27). Start your free trial today. Let us look to Him who will at last open our graves, and bring us forth to judgment, that He may now deliver us from sin, and put his Spirit within us, and keep us by his power, through faith, unto salvation.". Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones; Usage on es.wikipedia.org Libro de Ezequiel; Usuario:Am Ha'El/Taller; Usage on fa.wikipedia.org ; Usage on gd.wikipedia.org Eseciel; Usage on id.wikipedia.org Penglihatan suatu lembah penuh tulang kering; Usage on mr.wikipedia.org . It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may (BQ)know Me when I (BR)show Myself holy through you before their eyes, Gog., 17This is what the Lord God says: Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through My servants the prophets of Israel, who (BS)prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them? Unlike in Ezekiel, though, as the novel unfolds. Ezekiel seemed to enjoy a much wider spectrum than any other prophet, including signs, visions, direct prophecy, show-and-tell, parables, poems, proverbs, conditional promises, and third place experiences. This coming time of judgment will give those who never really knew God during their previous lifetime a just and fair opportunity for salvationnot a second chance. 26They will [ai](DK)forget their disgrace and all their [aj]treachery which they perpetrated against Me, when they (DL)live securely on their own land with (DM)no one to make them afraid. Is there anything too hard for Me?" So they will cleanse the land.. What Does the Vision of the Valley of Dry Mean? The bones stood up, were covered in flesh, and came to life. And one important vision would serve to encourage all who have ever lived in facing the same remorseless enemythe seemingly hopeless ending of life in death. ISBN-10. What is Pentecost and why do we celebrate it? Living Oracles - Roger Salter, Dry Bones, Part 1 Read more. Thus, when our time to return from the grave comes, Look how they keep saying, Our bones are dried up, and our future is lost. 5You will fall on the [ab]open field; for it is I who have spoken, declares the Lord God. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. 22With plague and with blood I will enter into (CA)judgment with him; and I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, [y]a torrential rain, (CB)hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Ezekiel preached the word where there was life. The second account is of the first Pentecost after Jesus ascension, recorded in the second chapter of Acts. Ezekiel 37:1-14 is a story that has fascinated me for most of my life. Up until the coming of Gods Spirit at this Pentecost, Israel continued to be dead men walking. View slideshow Download image set Story planner. The scene of a valley full of dry bones, resurrected before the mental eyes of the prophet Ezekiel (Ezek 37:1-14), is one of the most enigmatic apparitions experienced by this prophet, who is famous for his other unusual visions. 2 He caused me to pass all around them, and behold, there were very many [human bones] in the open valley; and lo, they were very dry. And these bones, representing the people of Israel, are given life. What we learn from this is that Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones is a poetic and prophetic response to the situation of God's people-to their sense of hopelessness, to their situation of being cut off from their land, their temple, and-they think!-from their God. And we can see that same thing happening today as the Holy Spirit, beginning at Pentecost, transforms the spiritually dead of this world into a vast army of spiritually alive people, ready to follow and serve our Lord. Indeed, were still talking about them 2,500 years later. 29 May 2023 10:09:48 Or was it just an unrelated similarity? God seemed to have abandoned them and all hope was gone. No other prophet had such surreal experiences as Ezekiel. The fundamental lesson of this story is when the spirit of God is present, his people are enabled to live. At this stage in their history they had been invaded and conquered. When Ezekiel saw that valley of dry bones, he was looking at me. Jesus had ascended just 10 days prior to this and had instructed his followers to remain together in Jerusalem until the gift of the Father, the Holy Spirit, is given to them (Acts 1:4-5). 3Then I will (CE)strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows fall from your right hand. What Is the Role of Conformity in Our Everyday Lives? In the vision of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1-14, God revealed to the priest Ezekiel the state of His people Israel, who were defeated and lived in captivity in Babylon. Pentecost was a harvest festival that occurred 50 days after the Passover. The vision is meant to convey what God wants to do for his people of Judah, both the ones in Jerusalem and the ones in exile in Babylon. Because few people are aware of the God-ordained festivals spelled out in the Bible, few understand God's step-by-step plan of salvation revealed through these celebrations. From early youth Ezekiel had been educated and trained to be a priest in the kingdom of Judah. And the Spirit enabled them to speak in all the native languages of those assembled in Jerusalem for Pentecost. But God, because of his great mercy, made us alive in Christ (Eph. . Other? 7(AZ)Be ready, and be prepared, you and all your contingents that are assembled around you, and be a guard for them. As the captain and some crew of another ship get closer to it, Melville writes this paragraph: As the whale-boat drew more and more nigh, the cause of the peculiar pipe-clayed aspect of the stranger was seen in the slovenly neglect pervading her. The phrase very dry bones is unique within the Hebrew scriptures. . Whats more, the word bones occurs more often in Ezekiel 37:1-11 than any Old Testament book except Job and Psalms. This page last updated: February 28, 2022. 0962088102. 38Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2Son of man, set your face toward (AN)Gog of the land of (AO)Magog, the (AP)chief prince of (AQ)Meshech and (AR)Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3and say, This is what the Lord [l]God says: Behold, I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Before him, the bones connect into human figures; then the . All rights reserved. And Peter preached to them his first sermon. He sees a valley covered with dry bones. 24[e]My servant David will be king over them, and they all will have one shepherd. 750BC King Jotham the 11th and a good King of Judah, Isaiah the Prophet (739BC-680BC) wrote the book Isaiah, 732BC- 723BC King Hoshea the last King of Israel was taken to Assyria, 722BC Israel Exiled as Slaves because of sin, 716BC-686BC King Hezekiah was the 13th King of Judah, 716-686BC King Hezekiah the sun goes backward, 695BC King Manasseh the 14th King of Judah, 640BC King Josiah the 16th and a good King of Judah, 627BC-580BC Jeremiah the prophet of God, 627BC Jeremiah visited the potters house, 609BC King Jehoahaz the 17th King of Judah, 609BC-598BC King Jehoiakim the 18th King of Judah, 604BC Jeremiah used a scribe called Baruch, 597BC King Jehoiachin the 19th King of Judah, 595BC Judah goes into Slavery to Babylon, 592BC-570BC The Scroll one of Ezekiels messages, 587BC Jeremiah the Prophet of God is put down a well, 597BC-586BC Zedekiah the 20th King of Judah, Golden Image made by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, 605BC-562BC Fiery test in the Fiery Furnace, 536BC-516BC Temple rebuilt by Zerubbabel, 468BC Esther becomes the Queen of Persia, 400 Years the gap between Malachi and Jesus, 170BC-37BC Hasmonean Dynasty, This family stayed faithful to God, 63BC A Roman Soldier representing the Roman Empire in the restored Israel, 20BC-AD25 King Herod the Great built a Temple for the Jews, 4BC -AD32 Jesus The author and giver of all faith, AD32 The cross, a Roman method of killing people. God told Ezekiel it was where His people, whom He loved, were at. And I will [k]place them and (AI)multiply them, and set My (AJ)sanctuary in their midst forever. All rights reserved. But the bodies werent breathing. Should Christians aim to be successful at work? That day the number of believers grew from 120 to 3000. 6And I will [d]attach tendons to you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin, and put breath in you so that you may come to life; and you will (I)know that I am the Lord.. 4. Fortunately, God proceeds in the next few verses to explain what Ezekiel has just witnessed. He is told to "prophesy to the bones" that God would bring them back to life, and so it happens: the bones come together, they are covered with sinews and muscles and skin. Here we see this vision of a great valley full of bones. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Keep praying toward that end! Weve been completely eliminated! 12 Therefore prophesy to them, and tell them, Watch me! You cannot truly grasp God's prophetic message to humankind apart from the essential knowledge disclosed in this eye-opening publication. He asks. The valley of dry bones probably occurred in a third place next door or adjacent to earth. No matter how many times one rereads it, this account remains both arresting and suspenseful to the converted mind. Later, many died at the hands of ruthless Assyrian invaders. The first wave of Jewish slaves or exiles taken by King Nebuchadnezzar was the start of a seventy year period that ended when some of the Jewish slaves returned and started to rebuild the temple. The most unusual chapter about the nation's restoration, of course, is the vision of the valley of dry bones. More importantly, it was a vision fromthe Lord and with the Lord. Photo credit: Wikipedia, Gustave Dor engraving "The Vision of The Valley of The Dry Bones" - 1866, Chris Tomlin and Lecrae Team up to Perform Song Based on Ezekiel 37 Prophecy "So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One [God] speaking. of But God has given a special message through Ezekiel to Israel in this regardone that holds significance for all people. Also 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'"'" (Ezekiel 37:5; Ezekiel 37:9). Publisher. 2 He led me here and there throughout the valley, and I was amazed to see that the surface of the entire valley was covered with myriads of very dry bones! There comes into existence a vast army of living people where once there was only dry bones. They were alive physically, but dead spiritually. These called-out ones, true Christians, will be resurrected to receive everlasting life when Christ returns (1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Philippians 3:20-21). And you find it used that way in Ezekiel 37:1-14. . By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Tell the Spirit, This is what the Lord GOD says: Come from the four winds, you Spirit, and breathe into these people who have been killed, so they will live. 10 So I prophesied as I had been ordered, breath entered them, and they began to live. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! But clearly Israel was not literally a collection of dry bones. Paul writes of "God our Saviour, whose will it is that all should find salvation and come to know the truth" (1 Timothy 2:3-4, Revised English Bible). Dry bones indicate no hope for revival. The 2020 song "Rattle!" At first glance these stories may not seem to have any connection. Perhaps you've heard of Ezekiel's vision in the valley of dry bones, where the Spirit of the Lord sets Ezekiel down and commands him to prophesy over the bones, and to the breath, so they might live. "Thus says the Lord God: '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. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. of Print length. 9Then He said to me, Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, The Lord God says this: Come from the four winds, breath, and (K)breathe on these slain, so that they (L)come to life. 10So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the (M)breath entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an (N)exceedingly great army. No guarantees. Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14. And in Romans 8:11 he says that God will give life to our mortal bodies because of his Spirit (pneuma) who lives in us. He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered . Answer: Both. 27When I (DN)bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall (DO)show Myself holy [ak]through them in the sight of the many nations. 9And you will go up, you will come (BE)like a storm; you will be like a (BF)cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you., 10This is what the Lord God says: It will come about on that day, that [r]thoughts will come into your mind and you will (BG)devise an evil plan, 11and you will say, I will go up against the land of [s](BH)unwalled villages. The nation, as a nation, was dead. What Does the Bible Say about the New Heaven and the New Earth? Before him, the bones connect into human figures; then the bones become covered with tendon tissues, flesh and skin. The Creator had called Ezekiel to be a great prophet, ranked alongside Isaiah and Jeremiah. What exactly did Ezekiel experience in the Valley of Dry Bones? All rights reserved. This annual festival would draw large crowds to Jerusalem from wherever the Jews were scattered. It's important to understand that the kingdoms of Israel and Judah had separated after King Solomon's death and that the people of the kingdom of Israel had already gone into captivity at the hands of the Assyrians during the latter part of the eighth century B.C.well over a century before Ezekiel prophesied. The lateDavid Sanfords book and Bible projects were published by Zondervan, Tyndale, Thomas Nelson, Doubleday, Barbour, and Amazon. 8 As I continued to watch, I saw tendons growing on the bones, and muscles growing and covering them, and then skin covered the flesh from above. One of God's annual festivals, the Feast of Tabernacles, corresponds directly to Christ's coming millennial reign. Of course, these questions beset people of every nationnot just Israel. 3Then He said to me, Son of man, (D)can these bones live? And I answered, Lord [b]God, (E)You Yourself know. 4Again He said to me, (F)Prophesy over these bones and say to them, You dry bones, (G)hear the word of the Lord. 5This is what the Lord God says to these bones: Behold, I am going to make [c](H)breath enter you so that you may come to life. 1. Many Bible readers misunderstand the nature and meaning of judgment, nearly always associating the term with sentencing to condemnationnot realizing that God is a merciful judge who patiently evaluates human existence with righteous discernment. 13And all the people of the land will bury them; and it will be [ae]to their (CR)renown on the day that I (CS)appear in My glory, declares the Lord God. Love C.S. Was the vision a 4D interactive experience with Ezekiel and God on the inside? 23The nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their (DE)wrongdoing, because they were disloyal to Me, and I (DF)hid My face from them; so I handed them over to their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword. What Does the Bible Say about Seeking the Worlds Validation? Rather than a simple "Of course not", he says, "Sovereign Lord, only you can answer that." But this belief simply is not found in the Bible. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Ezekiel 37:14 Gustave Dor, The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, 1866, Wikimedia Commons This lesson covers the book of a Ezekiel with a focus on his vision in ch. We were dead in our transgressions and sins (Eph. 37The 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; and it was full of bones. (BZ)Every mans sword will be against his brother. Context Matters: Valley of Dry Bones. 5. 23So I will prove Myself great, show Myself holy, and (CC)make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the Lord.. They remained an insignificant people group struggling to survive in a hostile world. The Lords power to restore Israel to its land is an encouraging reminder that He always keeps His unconditional promises. So I answered, 'O Lord God, you know'" (Ezekiel 37:1-3). Earth? The first is Ezekiels vision of the Valley of Dry Bones. How Does the Book of Ecclesiastes Point Us to Christ? He is commanded to carry a prophecy. The valley of dry bones was no Hollywood production the location manager, set builder, bone collector, special effects director, producer, actor, soundman, and scriptwriter all were God Himself. 37. Southern Baptist Convention is 'in crisis', says Rick Warren, 2-year-old incarcerated in North Korean prison camp after parents caught with Bible, says US State Department, Clergy cuts and the bishops' platform in Parliament, Education Secretary appoints advisory panel to ensure age-appropriate RSE lessons. Ezekiel tells us that he mostly prophesied from six years before the fall of Jerusalem until about a year or so afterward. An obvious theme of the vision is that God can resurrect dry bones-that He can give literal life to that which is dead and inanimate. 18It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel, declares the Lord God, that My fury will mount up in My (BT)anger. The vision was to encourage the desponding Jews; to predict both their restoration after the captivity and also their recovery from their present and long-continued dispersion. How (and Why) Do We Receive Power from the Holy Spirit? Ezekiel's vision continues: "Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live' . There is a church structure without the strength that comes from a deep relationship with God. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. How Does the Book of Ecclesiastes Point Us to Christ? The second account is of a group of believers, of Gods people, being filled by the Holy Spirit. The novel is about the opening days of World War II. If only someone could have put a video camera in Ezekiel's hands before Ezekiel 37:1-14. In verse 9 the Lord says Come, breath (ra), from the four winds (ra) and breathe into these slain. Ra is an invisible force that gives life (breath) and animates the physical world (wind). [1][2] The chapter details a vision revealed to the prophet Ezekiel, conveying a dream-like realistic-naturalistic depiction. In Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones that come back to life, the physical resurrection precedes the spiritual. He and others were taken from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar in 597BC which was the second wave of Jewish slaves or exiles from Jerusalem. So they will bury Gog there with all his horde, and they will call it the Valley of [ad]Hamon-gog. 15The word of the Lord came again to me, saying, 16Now you, son of man, take for yourself (T)one stick and write on it, For (U)Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions; then take another stick and write on it, For (V)Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions. 17Then (W)put them together for yourself one to another into one stick, so that they may become one in your hand. Is Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones literal or figurative? Ezekiel initially reacted just like the prophet Daniel and the apostles Paul and John did later. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. January 1, 1988. And by the time his prophecies began, some of the inhabitants of the kingdom of Judah were likewise already in captivity, first by the Assyrians and then the Babylonians, with most of the rest soon to follow as a result of later Babylonian invasions. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. God was looking after His own. Relatively few are being called now to join with the firstfruits of God's salvation. * 1 The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he led me out in the spirit of the LORD and set me in the center of the broad valley. Perhaps the Lord has something else in mind. 14 Im going to place my Spirit in you all, and you will live. But his hopes and dreams had been dashed by King Nebuchadnezzar's invasion, taking him and other young Jews captive to Babylon. The invisible barriers between heaven and earth were supernaturally parted for Ezekiel. God wants to breathe His Spirit not only into us, of course, but also in all not-yet-Christians that we know and love. Why Is Jeremiah Known as The Weeping Prophet? Physical human beings cannot live without drawing breaththe essence of our fleshly life. Herman Melville, early in his long story Benito Cereno, provides much description of the strange behavior and appearance of another ship, the San Dominick. Stay up to date with the latest Christian news! Again, the valley of dry bones describes the restoration of Gods people, but it reminds us of His promise to raise all who die in Jesus Christ. Tell them: You dry bones, listen to the message from the LORD: 5 This is what the Lord GOD says to you dry bones! They were an insignificant people in the midst of a mighty empire. The vision describes the restoration of Gods people, not the physical resurrection of specific individuals, as evidenced both by the broader and immediate context, Ezekiel 36:24-38. Proud member "So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army" (Ezekiel 37:10). He is asked to revive them, bring them hope, and lead them to the land of Israel. The real meaning of this celebration is rarely understood in modern theological circles. New American Standard Bible (NASB). God must not be underestimated. Its quite surreal. After a rattling sound, bone comes together with bone, flesh appears, and the dead come back to life, an . . 15(BP)You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding horses, a large assembly and a mighty army; 16and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. But, until recently, they never again experienced real independence, other than a short time under the Maccabees. 26And I will make a (AG)covenant of peace with them; it will be an (AH)everlasting covenant with them. 25And they will live on the land that I gave to My servant Jacob, in which your fathers lived; and they will live on it, they, and their sons and their sons sons, forever; and My servant (AF)David will be their leader forever. It offers hope for everyone. These were intended to reach people far beyond his own time to people down through the ages. He saw how Gd brought them to life again. 25They will live in the land where your fathers lived, [the land] that I gave to My servant Jacob, and they will live there, they and their children and their childrens children, forever; and My servant David will be their leader forever. 21Say to them, Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am going to take the children of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will [c]gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; 22and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one [d]king will be king over all of them; and they will no longer be two nations, and will no longer be divided into two kingdoms. The first story foretells the filling of Gods people by the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel 37:11-14. Overcome the sins and enticements Do Prophets Still Exist Today? And all share in the same fatenational punishment and, for each individual, the ultimate penalty of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23). In the prophecy Jesus Christ gave on the Mount of Olives the week He died, He plainly stated regarding the end-time, "For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written [in the Old Testament prophets, including Ezekiel] may be fulfilled" (Luke 21:22). The second account is of the first Pentecost after Jesus' ascension, as recorded in the second chapter of Acts. Know that I am the Lord appears dozens of times throughout Ezekiels book. Israel, as a people, was in Babylonian exile. 2 He made me walk among them in every direction. 9 Then he ordered me, Prophesy to the Spirit, Son of Man. The dry bones returning to life represented a return to life for Israel; a return to their own land, and Gods Spirit being put into them. This is where these famous words you hear in some songs come from: "Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD." Read Background Reading to find out what happens to the dry bones. For less than $5/mo. Ezekiel 37:1-14. 2:4). God transported Ezekielprobably not literally, but in a visionto a valley full of dry bones and directed him to speak to the bones. The New Earth? Why We Should Be Honest - The Crosswalk Devotional - June 2. Ezekiel is brought to a valley that is filled with dry and lifeless bones. (Jeremiah 32:27). 6. In Hebrew the words for "wind" and "breath" are the same. And then he tells Ezekiel to prophesy, or pass on a message from God, to the bones. Read Background Reading to find out what happens to the dry bones. Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones. Tendons hold them together, flesh covers the bones, and skin covers the flesh. But it doesn't, because the bleached-out bones are miraculously transformed into living bodies, a resurrection . Nehemiah returned under the protection of King Artaxerxes in the year of 444BC. Perhaps in a personal diary, he recorded the exact date on which the first vision occurred: "Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God" (Ezekiel 1:1, emphasis added throughout). Now, Ezekiel had witnessed the Babylonians destroying Jerusalem. To say the least, he found it difficult to portray the all-consuming experience the sounds and lights, the motion and emotion of what God showed him. Ezekiel had been taken 25 years earlier and the City had been destroyed 14 years earlier: see chapter 40. By no stretch of the imagination is all of Israel being saved now during this present age of man. New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/RugliG. John was 77 and still going strong. What does it mean to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30). Today we remember the Holocaust in which 6 million Jews were callously murdered in Central and Eastern Europe. Most in mainstream Christendom erroneously believe that today is the only day of salvation. The Valley of Dry Bones. God would bring them back into their own land to live. The apostle John also refers to this resurrection to temporary physical life in Revelation 20:11-13: "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon itAnd I saw the dead, small and great [now resurrected], standing before God, and books were opened. Vision of the Dry Bones. 27My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people. Their parents were devastated with unrelieved grief. The novelist Anthony Powell named The Valley of Bones, the seventh novel in the sequence A Dance to the Music of Time, for this part of Ezekiel 37. The hand and spirit of God are absent; instead, there are men never very strong, often ineffective, seldom secure, always troubled.Powell's narrative pictures the partial breakdown of an infantry company: the personal ossification of some men, the cracking of the mold in others, the failure (and even death) of still others. Sharon Jaynes, Unpredictable Wind The Dry Bones Explained. But God can "make these bones live", too. And early that morning the Holy Spirit descended on them like tongues of fire, filling the place they were staying. 16And even the name of the city will be Hamonah. The most obvious tie between these two stories is the filling of the Holy Spirit. All rights reserved. Moving beyond the introductory revelation of the awesome angelic realm, we fast-forward to verses 26 and 28. Read the full scripture below and find articles and audio sermons relating to this remarkable story. They were essentially a valley filled with dry bones. Ezekiel's vision of a valley of dry bones coming to life. And then he tells Ezekiel to prophesy, or pass on a message from God, to the bones. The first is Ezekiel's vision of the Valley of Dry Bones. He sees avalley covered with dry bones. Who Were the Major and Minor Prophets in the Bible? 20You will eat your fill at My table with (DB)horses and charioteers, with warriors and all the men of war, declares the Lord God. As an introduction to his prophecies, Ezekiel recounts seeing the Lords glory (chapter 1) and receiving Gods call at age 30 to be a prophet, not a priest (chapters 2-3). Answer: Yes. CHAPTER 37. All rights reserved. We are completely cut off. 12Therefore prophesy and say to them, Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will open your graves and make you come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you [back home] to the land of Israel. The vision of Ezekiel in chapter 37 of his book is one of the most powerful anywhere in the Old Testament. Our Creator speaks to a rebellious people who have rarely been inclined to take His warning messages seriously. The vision Ezekiel saw came to fruition at Pentecost and continues today in the life of each person who comes to faith in Christ. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 8And I looked, and behold, tendons were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. 37 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; and it was full of bones. But when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, that valley of dry bones began to stir, to come together, and was given life through the Breath of God, the Holy Spirit. . See all details. "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more" (Matthew 2:18). The indication of this preceding verse is that the majority of this great multitude of people will obtain everlasting life in God's Kingdom. Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones. From the book of Ezekiel, Chapter 37, God brings Ezekiel to a valleyfull of dry bones in a dream-like vision. (E) 23They will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will save them from all their transgressions in which they have sinned, and I will cleanse them. Given that, I believe that there is more than just the mention of the Holy Spirit that ties these two stories together. This special Holy Day directly corresponds to the Great White Throne Judgment period, during which God will give all those who have ever lived but never really understood the truth their first real opportunity for salvation. Each bone came together, all of them attached together! It's a vision of resurrection. Spirit builds on the idea of ra as an invisible life-giving force, including the part of us that makes decisions and can think. He earnestly desires to see the blood of His Son Jesus blot out the sins of as many as possible. 22And the house of Israel will (DD)know that I am the Lord their God, from that day onward. There is no situation into which he can't breathe life. Windsor Golden Series. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and fulfilled it, says the Lord.. In all probability, Ezekiel heard Jeremiahs prophecies while growing up. To say the least, Gods amazing, almighty power is clearly on display. Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian. Another way that ra is sometimes translated is spirit. 21And say to them, This is what the Lord God says: Behold, I am going to (Y)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; 22and I will make them (Z)one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and (AA)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. In verse 12, the scene appears to move to a cemetery. This vision, Ezekiel's third in the book (Ezekiel 1:1), is one of the most famous passages in Ezekiel. For the biblical and historical evidence, request or download our free booklet The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy. These arent newly or recently dead. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. 11Then He said to me, Son of man, these bones are the (O)entire house of Israel; behold, they say, Our (P)bones are dried up and our hope has perished. 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