Today's Scripture
Dry Bones: Ezekiel 37:1-14
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Ezekiel 35-37 (CEB)
The Lord’s power overcame me, and while I was in the Lord’s spirit, he led me out and set me down in the middle of a certain valley. It was full of bones. 2 He led me through them all around, and I saw that there were a great many of them on the valley floor, and they were very dry.
3 He asked me, “Human one, can these bones live again?”
I said, “Lord God, only you know.”
4 He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, Dry bones, hear the Lord’s word! 5 The LordGod proclaims to these bones: I am about to put breath in you, and you will live again. 6 I will put sinews on you, place flesh on you, and cover you with skin. When I put breath in you, and you come to life, you will know that I am the Lord.”
7 I prophesied just as I was commanded. There was a great noise as I was prophesying, then a great quaking, and the bones came together, bone by bone. 8 When I looked, suddenly there were sinews on them. The flesh appeared, and then they were covered over with skin. But there was still no breath in them.
9 He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, human one! Say to the breath, The Lord God proclaims: Come from the four winds, breath! Breathe into these dead bodies and let them live.”
10 I prophesied just as he commanded me. When the breath entered them, they came to life and stood on their feet, an extraordinarily large company.
11 He said to me, “Human one, these bones are the entire house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished. We are completely finished.’ 12 So now, prophesy and say to them, The Lord God proclaims: I’m opening your graves! I will raise you up from your graves, my people, and I will bring you to Israel’s fertile land. 13 You will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you up from your graves, my people. 14 I will put my breath[b] in you, and you will live. I will plant you on your fertile land, and you will know that I am the Lord. I’ve spoken, and I will do it. This is what the Lord says.”
What does this passage mean to me/us
Even in the times where it feels like there is no hope, God is the God who can bring new life into dry bones.
It is interesting how God asks Ezekiel by saying, “Human one, can these bones live again?” (v. 3) and Ezekiel answers by saying, “Lord God, only you know.” (v. 4).
So many times we feel like there is no hope. We might grasp the thought that God might have a way, but the reality might seem too dire that we cannot fathom of the hope to be realized.
However, isn’t it interesting to see how God uses Ezekiel who might still be in disbelief?
Meaning that God can still use us, in our disbelief.
We just need to be willing to be used by God, by trusting that God will make a way.
Prayer
Lord, use us for your glory. Help us to trust and see your plans to bring new life in the valley of dry bones. We pray in Christ name, AMEN.
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