Wednesday 23 April 2025
Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on 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.” (vs 5-6)
Background
The visions of Ezekiel are hard to understand. The valley of dry bones is a wonderful, if gruesome image and has been parodied in song and in images for so long that it can be hard to discern a truth for the current age within these verses. In this octave of Easter when we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, this message of life restored has a powerful and enduring message.
The name Ezekiel means ‘God strengthens’. The message of his book is to encourage the people at a time of struggle. The setting of the original message can be seen as looking for the restoration of Israel. This Old Testament passage also brings with it the hope of new life beyond present struggles. Three times (vs 5, 6, 14) the words "and you shall live" are repeated.
For Christians, particularly in this Easter week those words are encouraging and can be interpreted to mean the new life given to believers following the resurrection of Jesus. The vision provides powerful words which speak positively of hope both to the original hearers and to Christians.
The valley of dry bones is all about hope. Most of the earlier prophets had a message of doom and disaster. They prophesised before many in Judah were carried off into exile. Ezekiel in Babylon brings good news of hope for a future and nowhere is that seen more clearly than in this chapter.
Christians can take see this passage of hope for new life. Before each of the promises, "and you shall live", God will cause ‘breath’ or ‘spirit’ to enter the bodies. Often those two words are used interchangeably. The spirit which gives life is God’s spirit enabling the believer to stand as one filled with the power of God.
In his vision Ezekiel sees a multitude that both live and stand on their feet (v. 10). It is an encouragement to the original hearers not to give up in despair. For Christians it is to stand in the power of God’s spirit at work in them.
To Ponder:
- Where are the dry bones that need hope in this age?
- What encouragement can this passage give at Easter?
Prayer
Lord of all hopefulness, bring me the calmness of peace today. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Paul Davis
Paul Davis is a supernumerary minister in the Chorley and Leyland Circuit.