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The Lord is never content to leave us where we are in our spiritual relationship with Him. He works in us until we are prepared for Him to do more through us.
Ezekiel 37 is set against the background of the destruction of Israel and Judah which were laid waste. The Temple of God was burned down, and the remaining people were deported. Israel and Judah were no more. At this time of despair and hopelessness in the Kingdom, “the hand of the LORD” came to the Prophet Ezekiel who was brought out by the Spirit of the LORD and put in the middle of a valley. What a dismal place. The valley is full of human bones, baked white and dry on the desert sands – a scene of total hopelessness and utter despair. As Ezekiel surveys this gruesome scene, God instructs him and Ezekiel obeys.
First, God tells Ezekiel to declare the plan and intentions of God to the bones. Ezekiel obeyed and physical restoration takes place. It is a restoration of life-form so “you will know that I am the LORD” (Ezek. 37:6). The results are amazing. The scattered bones begin to clank and rattle and are joined together, forming human skeletons. Miraculously muscles, flesh and skin are assembled together but they are still dead for “there was no breath in them”.
Second, God commands Ezekiel to speak to the wind and to call on the breath of God to give them life. As he speaks, “breath entered them”. The bodies stand up alive, a virtual army when moments before had been only dry, bleached bones.
What is the meaning of this vision? What is the purpose of the vision? The Word of God and the Holy Spirit gives life. The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to renew our spirits. When we place ourselves under the Word of God, the Holy Spirit produces faith and makes us hunger and thirst for God. As in the vision of dry bones, He can move us as He chooses. The Holy Spirit knows what is on the heart and mind of the Heavenly Father and He is ready to dispense God’s wisdom and counsel to us (Jn. 16:13). What a privilege! God offers to reveal to us His thoughts so that we, like Prophet Ezekiel, can rise up and “do according to what is in My heart and in My mind” (1 Sam. 2:35). Are we limiting God in our lives?
