SCRIPTURE, BY CHARLENE BROWN
Lesson text: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Related Scriptures: Isaiah 26:12-19; 49:13-26; Hosea 14:1-9; Ezekiel 37:15-28
This week’s scriptural lesson expounds on a familiar passage of scriptures where an encounter between our Omnipotent God and the Prophet Ezekiel (whose name means…” God will strengthen”), takes place in a valley full of dry bones. These dry bones were a representation of Israel’s hopelessness as they were held captive in Babylon.
In the related scriptures, Isaiah 26: 12-19; 49:13-26, the people of Israel find themselves in a dire place of uncertainty pertaining to their future. Isaiah ministers hope to God’s chosen people that one day they would rise up and be a prosperous nation. “LORD you will establish peace for us. For you have also done all our works in us” (Isaiah 26:12) “Sing O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted” (Isaiah 49:13).
Hosea 14: 1-9 and Ezekiel 37: 15-18 continues with the same concept and theme of a plea for Israel to return to her first love, the Lord God almighty. God is often seen inviting His people to return to Him with heartfelt repentance, obedience and a vow to praise Him for His graciousness. “O Israel, return to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you, And return to the LORD; Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.” (Hosea 14: 1-2 )
SYNOPSIS, BY LECHA PRICE
In our lesson we see how God brings hope to Israel through the vision that was given to Ezekiel.
God gave Ezekiel a vision of a valley of dry bones. In the vision, God asked Ezekiel, “Can these bones live again?” Ezekiel in turn responded, “O Lord God, You know”. God then commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones that breath, life, and flesh may come upon them. As Ezekiel obeyed God, life was restored to the bones, and they became a great army.
The valley of dry bones transformed into a great army was a representation of Israel. The children of Israel were in exile in the Babylonian country. Even though they were scattered and carried away from their homeland because of their disobedience, God promised to bring them back together and give them new life, just as he did to the dry bones. The vision of the valley of dry bones is also an illustration of the life-giving and transformative power of Christ’s resurrection to those who have chosen to accept and believe in Him.
Scripture tells us that we were dead in our sins and trespasses and because of the richness of His love and mercy, He made us alive together with Christ. (See Ephesians 2:1-6) Only when our lives are fully surrendered to Christ can we have true life. In the midst of seemingly hopeless moments, God is faithful and will always send a word to encourage His people and bring hope. When we witness the faithfulness of God in our lives, may we become even more grateful and experience a deeper realization of His goodness and trustworthiness. God graces us with these glimpses of glory so that we might worship and serve Him with a deeper commitment and testify of His unmerited favor.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION, BY BRITTENNE BOYKIN
Today’s text is one of epic proportions! God speaking to the Prophet Ezekiel, dead bones revived, hope found and promises reiterated! Hope differed makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12) The Israelites certainly had their fair share of things that would cause them to lose hope. As a result of their disobedience and after many chances granted by their loving Father they had been taken into captivity.
In the midst of a dire reality we see a new reality prevailing. We have a front row seat during a divine dialogue between Ezekiel and God. Ezekiel finds himself in a valley of dry bones and is commanded by God to speak life over them (Vs.1-7). Once Ezekiel speaks life an amazing thing happens; our text tells us that (Vs.9) sinew and flesh came upon them and breath came into them and they lived (Vs.10). God goes on to remind them that they are His people and He would restore them and put His Spirit in them (Vs.13-14).
Let us be reminded that our loving Father even in the times we feel afar off always beckons us toward redemption and restoration. He reminds us of His promise of covenant with him and gives us hope in the midst of our struggles even when they are self imposed. We can walk with hopeful expectation for both today and tomorrow knowing that our Father calls us His own and is invested in our care. We hold fast to our faith knowing that our God is faithful.
