The Valley Of Dry Bones

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The Valley Of Dry Bones

As I have mentioned before, I am a very visual person. When I read scripture, I like to be in the story. I think about what I would see, smell, or hear in the story. To be honest, when I imagined the valley of dry bones, the bones were always large, as if they were from ancient large animals, like mammoths. On the contrary, these were human bones completely dry, devoid of any life. God gave Ezekiel this vision to show the depravity of His chosen people.

As I read this story in depth for my Reflecting The Son group, what this story is about came alive to me. Let’s read the scripture…

“The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones become living people again?’ ‘O Sovereign Lord,’ I replied, ‘you alone know the answer to that.’”

Ezekiel 37:1-3 NLT

Rûah

What an incredible moment Ezekiel got to witness in this vision. Can you imagine God revealing this scene to you as if you were truly there? It had to feel unsettling to experience a place so desolate and filled with death. The spirit of the Lord moved Ezekiel around the bones to get the understanding of how far gone the people of Israel and Judah had fallen. The same word for Spirit in Hebrew, rûah, also means breath and wind. Some translations say the wind of God moved him. Either way you translate it, the power of God moved Ezekiel. How incredible!

Keep reading, this is what I found most fascinating…

“Then he said to me, ‘Speak a prophetic message to these bones’ and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

“So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly, as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then, as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.”

Ezekiel 37:4-8 NLT

Dead Or Alive

I had two thoughts come barreling out at me while reading. The first, where do I need to come alive? When God looks at you and me, what does He see? Does He see us on fire and representing Him to the nations? Or does He see us like the Israelites dead, ineffective, and turning after other gods?

The second thought that jumped out to me here, surprisingly, was not the rattling and the dry bones coming together and growing ligaments and skin. It was the part that God told Ezekiel to prophesy the words to make it happen. God gave Ezekiel the ability to command the bones to come alive, just like He gives us the ability to do things with Him.

“Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”

Luke 10:19 NLT

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”

John 14:12 NLT

Prophesy

God could have had Ezekiel sit back and watch what would happen, but He made Ezekiel an active participant. God moved him throughout the bones to really see the direness of the situation. Then God told Ezekiel to prophesy. Ezekiel spoke the words of life over the bones as God commanded.

The story continues with God telling Ezekiel in verse 9, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’”

Ezekiel Spoke Life

Ezekiel did exactly as God instructed and got to witness the miracle. He spoke life over the bones and death was defeated.

“So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.”

Ezekiel 37:10 NLT

“So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.” -Ezekiel 37:10 NLT#drybones Click To Tweet

We then see the bones come alive into a great army. These bones were definitely not that of ancient animals, but of humans. They represented Israel and Judah coming back to life from their time in exile and coming together as one once again.

Becoming Part Of The Story

Out of this entire story, I am moved because God wanted Ezekiel to say the words. He wanted Ezekiel to be part of the story and I believe deep in my soul that God wants each of us to actively play a part in the story. He wants us to speak words that make things come to life and bear fruit.

When God puts something on our hearts to do for Him, I can picture Him moving right along with us, as He did with Ezekiel. He kept saying to Ezekiel, prophesy these words. What is He walking with you and saying?

Is God walking with you saying prophesy these words or share who I am with that girl walking your way? Is He whispering to you to pray for a specific friend or write a book (this is where I raise my hand)? Has God reminded you to volunteer for a specific role or take a new job? In that still small voice, is He asking you to have the faith to move in His power and authority, and to let Him birth new gifts in you?

Are You A Willing Vessel?

I know God has something unique and amazing for each of us. He looks for willing vessels like Isaiah to say, “Here I am. Send me.” God even looks for those of us like Jeremiah, who says, “I am not qualified, but I will do it.” He looks for those like Ezekiel to say, “I will make a fool of myself for You because You are worth it. You died for me, and I am willing to do anything for you.”

Just like the valley of dry bones came to life and turned into a great army, it is time for us to rise up, for the One who gave it all. It’s time to rise as a mighty army, ready to overcome the darkness in this world. It is time for the chaos the enemy is causing to end and the light of Christ to shine.

Let’s Pray

“Lord, may your light shine through us. May every word that comes from our mouth bring life and glory to your name. Stop any words that would dishonor, hurt, or destroy. Let us each hear your voice as you guide us to do everything you want us to do. Give us strength and boldness to fulfill each calling. Let us see mourning turn to dancing, ashes into beauty, and death into life. In Jesus’ holy and powerful name. Amen.”