“Ezekiel”

Scripture: Psalm 14

C.I.: The Valley of Dry Bones

So far… - Today we will conclude our series on Ezekiel! – “Restoration” = emotional, physical and especially spiritual!!!

I. Restoration is Possible, (Ezekiel 37:1-13)

A. The Meaning of the Dry Bones, (vs. 1-6)

1. ( vs. 1-3 ), “The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the
middle of the valley; and it was full of bones (this is a vision – not real) . – And He caused me to pass among them round
about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry (they had been there a long
time). – And He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?' – And I answered, ‘O Lord God, You know.'”
a. Ezekiel seems unsure. – He knew there was no normal way it could happen. – But He's talking to God!
1) These bones represent the nation of Israel.
2) ( v. 11 ), “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 has perished. – We are completely cut off.'”
3) The nation of Israel is devastated following its defeat in war – and deportation to Babylon.

b. These same feelings of depression occur in the lives of many people today… “Can things get better?!”
1) Incidence of depression: up 12% for men, 25% for women.
2) Causes: Loss of a loved-one – a divorce – bankruptcy / $$ issues – getting fired – a diagnosis!
3) Risk factors: female; family history of depression, a prior episode of depression, lack of
family/social support, stressful life events, current alcohol and/or substance abuse.
4) Thus, what is true for individuals – is here in the life of Israel – true for an entire nation.
5) Loss ( II Chron. 36:17 ), “…slew their young men … had no compassion on the virgins, the old
men or infirm.” – Divorce ( Jer. 3:8 ), “…for all the adulteries of faithless Israel, I have sent her away &
given her a writ of divorce.” - $ issues (they are slaves) – Fired (deported to Babylon) – Diagnosis ( v. 11 )

2. ( v. 4-6 ), “Son of man, prophesy over these bones, and say to them, ‘Hear the word of the Lord.' “Behold, I will cause
breath to enter you that you may come to life. – And I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, - cover you with
skin, and put breath in you that you may come to life; and you will know that I am the Lord.”
a. Remember God's question, “Can these bones…?” ( v. 3 ).
1) Jesus was once asked, ( Mk. 10:26-27 ), “‘Who can be saved?' ‘With man this is impossible….”
2) But now, God is going to do the impossible!!!

b. Prophesy = to proclaim, preach. – Sometimes = “foretell,” other times it means to “forth-tell.”
1) It had been their refusal to listen to God's word – that caused them to be “dried up.” 2) So listening to God's word – will be what restores them.

B. The Miracle of the Dry Bones, (v. 7-13)

1. ( vs. 7-8 ), “So I prophesied as I was commanded; - and as I prophesied , there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the
bones came together, bone to its bone. – And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and the flesh grew, and skin
covered them; but there was no breath in them.” – Preaching can put a “body” together – but not give it life!!!

2. Yet notice, the preaching/prophesying by Ezekiel – by itself was not enough, “…there was no breath in them.”
a. ( vs. 9-10 ), “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 4 winds O breath , and breathe on these slain, that they may come to life.'”'”

b. “Breath” = ruach , “breath” (31x), “Spirit” (76x). – ( Gen. 1:1-2 ), “In beginning … the Spirit of God
1) “Spirit” makes more sense – ( Gen. 2:7 ), “…God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
and man became a living being.” – But the word used here is NOT ruach , but neshamah .
2) Physical death = Body without a spirit – ( Jms. 2:26 ), “The body without the spirit is dead.”
3) Spiritual death = A person w/o God's Spirit – ( Rom. 8:9 ), “If anyone does not have the Spirit of
Christ, he does not belong to Him.” - In other words, he is spiritually dead!!!
4) Re-quote vs. 9-10 , “Prophesy to the Spirit … and say to the Spirit , ‘Come from 4 winds O Sp .

c. Yet the Spirit of God won't be in our lives – unless we are willing - to act upon what He says.
1) ( Gal. 3:2 ), “This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of
law, or by hearing with faith ?”
2) Even today, people come to worship - hear God's word – and walk away just “dry bones”!
3) But if we are to hear with faith – God will give us His Spirit of life, - ( Eph. 1:13 ), “You also,
after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, having also believed , you were….”

3. ( vs. 12-13 ), ‘Thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My
people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. – Then you will know that I am the Lord.'”
a. In this context, - God is speaking of restoring His people physically back to the land of Israel.

b. Today, God can restore His people emotionally to Himself – if they will only – act upon what He says.
1) Depression deals with what we've lost (loved one, marriage, money, job, health). – So God
calls for us to focus on Jesus – and what we gain, ( Heb. 12:1-2 ), “Let us run with endurance….”
` 2) Then as God put their “bodies” back together through the proclamation of Ezekiel – so too
will He put our lives back together – if we just trust His words, ( Heb. 4:2 ), “…the word they
heard did not profit them because it was not united with faith in those who heard.”
3) But they were not empowered until the Spirit of God came into them. – So too, we are
empowered for success by His Spirit in us, ( Eph. 5:18 ), “Don't get drunk w/wine for that is
dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”
4) God restored Israel physically (brought back to Judea) & spiritually (gave them His Spirit-us).

CONCLUSION:

Members: When we listen to God as He speaks to us from His word – He can put our lives back together again (restoration)!
Guests: God has a plan for your life! –He can restore us spiritually to Himself – if we will obey His words!
Eph. 1:13; Acts 5:32; Acts 2:38!