Ezekiel 37

1-14 The Valley of Dry Bones

1-3 God takes Ezekiel to a valley full of dry bones. He asks Ezekiel if they live. Ezekiel answers, “O Lord GOD, you know.” I find Ezekiel’s answer humorous. He knows what’s obvious, but he also knows God can override the obvious.

4-6 God tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones that he will give them life, with sinew and flesh and breath.

7-10 So Ezekiel prophesies, and he hears the noise of rattling as the bones connect, form sinew and flesh, but with no breath. On God’s command, he calls forth air from the four winds to breathe life into the bones.

11-14 These represent the people of Israel. Ezekiel is to prophesy to them to not lose hope. Just as he put life into the dry bones, so can he restore Israel, bringing them back to their land, bringing them up from their graves of captivity, putting his spirit in them. A good reminder to any of us who may tend to lose hope, either for ourselves or for others.

15-28 The Two Sticks

15-17 Ezekiel is to take two sticks and write on one, “For Judah, and the Israelites associated with it,” and on the other, “For Joseph (Ephraim) and the Israelites associated with it,” then join them together in his hand.

18-23 When the people ask what this means, tell them it symbolizes the coming together of Ephraim [the northern tribes] and Judah [the southern tribes], with one king, no more bowing to idols, saved from apostasy.

24-28 My servant David will be their king forever, and they shall obey my laws, and I will make a covenant of peace with them, bless them and multiply. Since David is long dead and is not resurrected, this must be a Messianic prophecy, describing the coming together of all people – Jew and Gentile – in his church.