Trust the Word to do the Work

Ezekiel 37:1–3 (ESV) The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.”

The most often quoted and preached chapter in Ezekiel has to be the Valley of Dry Bones. As you read through Ezekiel, the imagery fits. The nation is decimated, a bygone people taken captive and seemingly swallowed into the history of ancient conquest. Ezekiel sees them for what every other nation under such circumstances is - a valley of zero potential. They aren't just bones but "very dry" (verse 2). They are in the "valley", a picture of low estate. Ezeils is led around them to observe closely: They have wasted away. No picture could do more justice to the situation of God's nation in Ezekiel's day. 

The question-and-answer response is what you should expect. God asks if they can live, and Ezekiel rightly answers that only the Lord knows. The prophet has learned not to doubt or question the situation when God is involved. No matter how bleak, if He is there, nothing is impossible, nothing is over. The question is, how will this decaying nation return?

Ezekiel 37:4–6 (ESV) Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”

The Word of God is the way back for any person, people, or nation. If we are going to make a difference in the lives of hopeless men and women, it is not in our intellect or savvy; it is in the proclaimed voice of God to the dead. 

The results are miraculous and more than the prophet expected. He details the reuinifcaitons of bones and the regrowth of flesh and the strengthening of formerly lifeless artifacts:

Ezekiel 37:7–10 (ESV) So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

Jesus told us the Word of God is more than just creative; the Word is inspired and Spirit-filled.

John 6:63 (ESV) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Ezekiel sees the bodies come together but prophesies once more that the Spirit will enter them. Only when the Spirit enters are they formed into a great army. 

And the Lord confirms that when Israel rises again, it will confirm who He is, faithful and true to His promise made with Abraham.

Ezekiel 37:11–14 (ESV) Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.”

The episode is a lesson for any decaying person, community, church, or nation. God's Word has POWER! If a Church would be revived, let it find a Pastor who will open the Bible and speak under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Piece by piece, that church will come together, and suddenly, the Wind of the Holy Ghost will fill it. 

If a person would be revived in spirit and hope, let them HEAR the Word of God preached in the power of the Holy Spirit and become strong and mighty. 

The Lord desires His people to be alive, standing, and strong. The enemy's aim is to weaken. Avoid sin and seek the truth of Christ in the Word; your future self will find testimony in the trustworthy testament of God's Word.