Ezekiel's Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones

Introduction

The book of Ezekiel contains many profound and cryptic visions from God that were revealed to

the prophet Ezekiel during the time of the exile of the Israelites in Babylon. One of the most

famous of these visions is known as the vision of the valley of dry bones. In this vision found in

Ezekiel chapter 37, Ezekiel is transported by the spirit of God to a valley full of dry bones.

Through this vivid scene, God provides both hope and a message of restoration to the exiled

Israelites in Babylon. Let us examine this intriguing vision in more detail to understand its

significance and meaning.

Background

To fully appreciate Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones, we must understand the historical

context in which it was given. Around the year 597 BC, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar

conquered Jerusalem and exiled many of its elite residents to Babylon. This included Ezekiel,

who was among those taken captive. Life as exiles was no doubt difficult for the Israelites, who

found themselves separated from their homeland and temple. They were surrounded by foreign

pagan cultures and had lost much of their national identity and spiritual moorings. Internally,

they were likely experiencing feelings of despair, hopelessness, loss of faith in God's promises,

and doubts about their future existence as a people.

It was into this dismal context that God called Ezekiel to be a prophet and watchman to the

exiles. Through dramatic visions and messages, God sought to both rebuke His people for their

sins but also offer comfort and assurance of restoration. The timing of the valley of dry bones

vision, which came early in Ezekiel's prophetic ministry around 593 BC, suggests it was meant

to impart hope to the exiles struggling with doubts, depression and lack of confidence in their

future. Through this surreal scene, God powerfully illustrated that He had the ability to breathe

new life into what appeared utterly dead and devoid of hope. Let us now examine the vision

itself.

The Vision

The vision begins with Ezekiel recounting how "the hand of the Lord was upon me" and He was

transported "in visions of God" to "the middle of a valley" full of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1). The

scene Ezekiel witnessed was one of complete desolation - all that remained were disconnected

bones, bleached white by the sun, scattered across an open field with no discernible

organization or structure. Any flesh or life that was once present had long since decayed away.

This graphic portrayal would no doubt arouse feelings of despair and finality in the mind of the

onlooker.

God then poses a question to Ezekiel - "Son of man, can these bones live?" (Ezekiel 37:3).

Faced with such a scene of utter death and hopelessness, Ezekiel understandably responds

with skepticism, saying "O Lord God, you know" (Ezekiel 37:3). In essence, Ezekiel

acknowledges that only God knows if resurrection from such a state is truly possible. At this

point, God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, saying "O dry bones, hear the word of

the Lord!" (Ezekiel 37:4).

As Ezekiel obediently prophesies to the lifeless bones as commanded, a miraculous

phenomenon begins to unfold. First, there is "a noise and behold, a rattling, and the bones

came together, bone to its bone" (Ezekiel 37:7). Quickly, reconstructed skeletons now lay where

once there were only isolated fragments. But they remained motionless and inanimate. Then,

God tells Ezekiel to prophesy again, this time declaring that He will put sinews, flesh and skin on

the bones and breathe life into them (Ezekiel 37:8). Amazingly, as Ezekiel speaks the prophetic

word a second time, the once barren valley is transformed into "an exceedingly great army" of

reanimated bodies filled with breath and life (Ezekiel 37:10).

The Interpretation

Through this surreal and vivid scene, God was communicating profound messages of

restoration, revival and resurrection to Ezekiel and the exiles. Let us examine some of the

central themes and lessons imparted:

National Resurrection - The dry bones represented the whole house of Israel, who found

themselves in a state of death and disarray due to the exile (Ezekiel 37:11). God was assuring

them that just as He resurrected the bones, He had the power to resurrect their nation from its

current state of dissolution and restore it to wholeness in their homeland.

Bodily Resurrection - Some also see in this vision an allusion to the future bodily resurrection

from the dead that will occur at the end of the age. Just as God breathed life into dead,

decomposed bodies, He has power over death itself and will one day raise mankind from the

grave (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Hope for Restoration - The exiles had likely lost hope for a future as God's people due to their

dire circumstances. This vision revitalized their faith by demonstrating God's ability to recreation

what is ruined and hopeless. It gave assurance that He would one day gather them from among

the nations and return them to their land (Ezekiel 37:21-22).

Unity and Organization - Once resurrected, the bones came together perfectly aligned and

structured as "an exceedingly great army." This showed God would not just restore them

physically, but bring unity among the divided tribes once again as a cohesive people under His

rule.

Divine Sovereignty - Only God possesses the power to enact resurrection and revival. This

vision highlighted His supremacy and sovereignty even over death. He remains in control of

history and will accomplish all His purposes for Israel and the nations according to His good

plan and timing.

Personal Application

While given in a specific historical context, the message of Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry

bones retains profound meaning for believers today. On a personal level it reminds us:

- God specializes in reviving dead or hopeless situations. No matter how seemingly barren or

unsalvageable an area of our life has become due to sin or difficulty, He alone has power to

breathe new life.

- We serve a God of restoration. Though we may experience seasons of brokenness,

separation from God, or loss of identity, He work all things for good and promises to one day

fully restore us.

- Faith is needed to believe in God's resurrection power when circumstances appear utterly

futile or impossible. We must trust in His ultimate victory over sin, death and Satan even when

physical evidence points to decay.

- God desires to bring unity to His people. Even amidst our divisions, imperfections and state of

disrepair, He is working to knit our hearts together in love and fellowship as the body of Christ.

- Sovereignty must be emphasized over circumstance or feeling. This vision refocuses our eyes

upon God's control rather than the temporal details that produce fear, doubt or discouragement.

Conclusion

Ezekiel's vision of the valley of the dry bones provides timely hope even today through its

reminder of God's matchless power to revive what is dead. For the exiled Israelites despairing

of restoration, it injected new belief in their future. For us, it signifies that with God all things are

possible - He who raises the dead to life can also breathe new life into hopeless places in our

lives through His resurrection power at work within us. While sin, death and brokenness may

seem to have the final say, we serve a Lord infinitely Mightier who has both defeated these foes

and promises future complete renewal. Through vision such as this, His people gain assurance

that His purposes can never be thwarted and we need not lose heart even in our lowest places.

God remains sovereign over all.