The Vision of Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37:1-2 describes the prophet being led by the Spirit into a valley full of dry bones, symbolizing the hopelessness of Israel's situation. The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones.

God's Question and Command
In verse 3, God asks Ezekiel, Son of man, can these bones live? This question challenges us to consider God's power over seemingly impossible situations.

Prophecy and Obedience
Ezekiel is commanded to prophesy over the bones, demonstrating the importance of speaking God's word in faith. So I prophesied as I had been commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone (Ezekiel 37:7).

Breath of Life
Verses 9-10 highlight the role of the Spirit in bringing life, as Ezekiel is told to prophesy to the breath. So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet—a vast army.

Promise of Restoration
God promises to restore Israel, both physically and spiritually, as seen in verses 11-14. I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land.Trust in God's Power
When facing hopeless situations, remember that God can bring life and restoration where there seems to be none.

Speak God's Word
Like Ezekiel, we are called to speak God's truth into our lives and circumstances, trusting in His promises.

Rely on the Holy Spirit
Recognize the essential role of the Holy Spirit in bringing renewal and transformation.

Hope for Restoration
Hold onto the hope that God can restore what is broken, both in our personal lives and in the broader community.1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The central figure in the vision, the LORD is the one who gives Ezekiel the vision and commands him to prophesy to the dry bones. The Hebrew name used here is יהוה (YHWH), often rendered as "LORD" in English translations. The LORD is depicted as the sovereign God who has the power to bring life to the dead.

2. Ezekiel
The prophet and recipient of the vision. Ezekiel is addressed as "son of man" (Hebrew: בֶּן־אָדָם, ben-adam) throughout the book, emphasizing his humanity and role as a representative of the people. In this chapter, he acts as the intermediary between God and the vision of the dry bones.

3. The House of Israel
Represented by the dry bones in the vision, the House of Israel symbolizes the people of Israel who are in exile and feel hopeless. The Hebrew term for "house" is בֵּית (beit), and "Israel" is יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra'el). The vision is a metaphor for the restoration and revival of the nation.

4. David, My Servant
Mentioned in the latter part of the chapter (Ezekiel 37:24-25), David is referred to as a future prince and shepherd over the united Israel. This reference is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy, pointing to a future leader from the line of David. The Hebrew name דָּוִד (David) is used here.1. The Valley
Description
The primary setting of Ezekiel 37 is "the valley," where the prophet Ezekiel is brought in a vision. This valley is filled with dry bones, symbolizing the house of Israel in a state of spiritual death and exile. The Hebrew word used here is "בִּקְעָה" (biq'ah), which generally refers to a broad, flat valley or plain. In this vision, the valley represents a place of desolation and hopelessness, which God promises to restore.

The chapter does not mention any other specific geographical locations, focusing instead on the symbolic vision and its implications for the people of Israel. The emphasis is on the transformation and renewal that God promises to bring about, rather than on physical places.1. The Hand of the LORD upon Ezekiel
"The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones." (Ezekiel 37:1)
The Hebrew word for "hand" (יָד, yad) signifies power and authority, indicating God's control and guidance over Ezekiel.

2. The Valley of Dry Bones
"He led me all around among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, and they were very dry." (Ezekiel 37:2)
The dryness of the bones symbolizes the utter hopelessness and lifelessness of the situation.

3. God's Question to Ezekiel
"Then He asked me, 'Son of man, can these bones come to life?' 'O Lord GOD,' I replied, 'only You know.'" (Ezekiel 37:3)
The term "Son of man" (בֶּן־אָדָם, ben-adam) emphasizes Ezekiel's humanity in contrast to God's sovereignty.

4. Prophesy to the Bones
"And He said to me, 'Prophesy concerning these bones and tell them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!'" (Ezekiel 37:4)
The act of prophesying (נָבָא, naba) involves speaking forth God's word with authority.

5. The Promise of Life
"This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: ‘I will cause breath to enter you, and you will come to life.'" (Ezekiel 37:5)
The Hebrew word for "breath" (רוּחַ, ruach) can also mean spirit or wind, indicating a divine life-giving force.

6. The Physical Restoration
"So I prophesied as I had been commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone." (Ezekiel 37:7)
The reassembly of bones signifies the initial stage of restoration.

7. The Appearance of Flesh and Skin
"I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them, and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them." (Ezekiel 37:8)
This stage shows a complete physical form but still lacking life.

8. Prophesy to the Breath
"Then He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and tell the breath that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, so that they may live!'" (Ezekiel 37:9)
The invocation of the "four winds" (אַרְבַּע רוּחוֹת, arba ruachot) symbolizes a universal call for life.

9. The Breath of Life
"So I prophesied as He had commanded me, and the breath entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet—a vast army." (Ezekiel 37:10)
The infusion of breath signifies the impartation of life and strength.

10. The Interpretation of the Vision
"Then He said to me, 'Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.’" (Ezekiel 37:11)
The dry bones represent the despair and hopelessness of the Israelites in exile.

11. The Promise of Restoration
"Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel.'" (Ezekiel 37:12)
The opening of graves symbolizes resurrection and national restoration.

12. The Covenant of Peace
"I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary among them forever." (Ezekiel 37:26)
This covenant signifies a future hope of eternal peace and divine presence.Genesis 2:7
The creation of man, where God breathes life into Adam, parallels the breath of life in Ezekiel 37.

John 11:25
Jesus declares Himself the resurrection and the life, offering hope beyond physical death.

Romans 8:11
The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in believers, promising life and renewal. Pray for Faith
Ask God to strengthen your faith in His power to bring life to dead situations.
Seek the Spirit's Guidance
Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you in speaking God's word.
Hope and Restoration
Pray for hope and restoration in areas of your life that feel desolate or broken.
Community Revival
Pray for spiritual revival and renewal in your community and nation, trusting in God's promise to restore.

1. What does the vision of the dry bones represent in today's context? How can we apply this to our personal lives or society?

2. How does the prophecy of the dry bones demonstrate the power of God's Word?

3. In what ways might you need a 'breath of life' in your personal or spiritual life?

4. How can the prophecy of two sticks serve as a reminder of unity in our contemporary world?

5. What does the unification of Israel and Judah symbolize for modern Christianity?

6. How does the theme of restoration in Ezekiel 37 resonate with you?

7. What are some ways that God 'cleanses' us, as described in the prophecy?

8. How do you interpret God's promise to place one king over the unified Israel and Judah in the context of Jesus' messianic role?

9. How does the concept of an everlasting covenant with God affect your faith and actions?

10. In what ways does this chapter demonstrate the hope and future God has for His people?

11. How can you use the message of Ezekiel 37 to overcome situations of despair or hopelessness?

12. How does this chapter influence your understanding of faith and spiritual awakening?

13. What is the role of a prophet, as exemplified by Ezekiel in this chapter?

14. How does the prophecy in this chapter relate to the overall narrative of the Bible?

15. How can we practically respond to God's call for spiritual revival in our lives?

16. What can you learn from Ezekiel's obedience to God in this chapter?

17. How does the theme of divine intervention in this chapter resonate with your personal experiences?

18. What lessons can churches today draw from the prophetic visions in Ezekiel 37?

19. How does the promise of peace and security in this chapter encourage you in times of uncertainty or fear?

20. How can the lessons from Ezekiel 37 be used to promote unity and reconciliation in our society today?