Ezekiel 37 -- Hope Where There Is None

Ezekiel was transported by God in the Spirit to a valley where a great slaughter had occurred.  No one had even collected the bodies for burial – an absolute shame for Jews.  The bones were so old and dry that from man’s point of view, there was no hope whatsoever that any life remained in them.  In modern terms, the DNA had all been destroyed by time, sun, and decay.

When God asked Ezekiel if those bones could live, Ezekiel wisely deferred to God, knowing that nothing is impossible for Him.  In the vision, Ezekiel watched as bones long scattered collected themselves back into the original skeletons they belonged to, then he was amazed as tendons and cartilage and muscles and skin formed to reproduce the bodies of the soldiers of a massive army, yet they all lay lifeless on the ground.

My commentary said that verse 4 contained God’s word of command and verses 5 & 6 contained His word of promise.  Perhaps nothing but the human will can stand unmoved when God commands.  Although God has already shown that He can direct the decisions of even unbelievers, He still honors the choice of free will that He placed within us as to whether we will believe in Him and His power or not!

God then directed Ezekiel to prophesy to the wind or spirit to bring life into those bodies, and the entire army stood on its feet, breathing and alive!

At that point, God once again caught Ezekiel’s attention, explaining that the initial vision described Israel’s hopelessness without Him.  Then He proceeded to show him the promise of new life for the nation, when God will one day rejoin the two divided kingdoms with one King ruling them – His Son Jesus Christ, the Son of David.  They would know God by this awesome display of His power.  They would dwell in peace with the Prince of Peace, and God Himself will come and make His home with them, making them holy.

Father, thank You for this picture of hope among hopelessness that You offer.  Thank You for showing us that nothing and no one is beyond Your ability to save.  Father, send the fresh wind of the Spirit to our church and give us new life from You.  Breathe hope into those I love and show them how You can recreate them if only they will let You.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford