Lesson 10 4 October 2015 The Valley of Dry Bones Lesson Scope: Ezekiel 37 Unless otherwise noted all references are from the Book of Ezekiel Lesson Focus The vision of the valley of dry bones was given to Israel in a time of uncertainty; their future seemed bleak, with all hope for the nation gone (37:11). The people were in captivity; Jerusalem was destroyed; and God's promises for their future seemed as improbable as dead bones coming back to life. What Ezekiel saw accurately portrayed what the people were feeling. This vision was a message from God to inspire Israel's hope. God is able to bring life from death. His power knows no limits in working out His promises to the last detail. God would restore His people to their land and make them spiritually alive (37:14). These promises for Israel carry a message for us today. God is able to miraculously change a spiritually dead person into a living creature with purpose and meaning in life. Ezekiel saw Israel as spiritually dead and hopeless. Only the miraculous life-giving power of God can restore the dead. God gave to Ezekiel an outstanding vision, rich in prophetic and symbolic significance. Clearly, the primary meaning of the vision related to the nation of Israel. God specifically said, "These bones are the whole house of Israel." This vision reassured Ezekiel and Israel that the present captivity in the graves of Gentile powers was not permanent. He would indeed bring them out of those graves and back into the land of Israel (37:12). A measure of this prophecy was fulfilled when Cyrus decreed that the remnant of the Jews could return to their land. The latter part of the chapter indicates that this prophecy also looked to a day when God would make "an everlasting covenant with them." This lesson focuses on the many ways in which this passage symbolizes the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. Those who "were dead in trespasses and sins" can be "quickened... together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:1-10).
Lesson Aim: To see the power of the living God in calling forth life from the dead. Theme Verses: John 11:25-26. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Lesson Text "Can These Bones Live?" Ezekiel 37:1-8 1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. 4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. 8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. "The Breath Came Into Them, and They Lived" Ezekiel 37:9-14 9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon 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 up upon their feet, an exceeding great army. 11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. 12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will
open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, 14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. Ezekiel 37:21-23 21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: 23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 37:27-28 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. Questions for Study "Can These Bones Live?" 1. What is significant about the valley being full of bones, and that the bones were very dry? 2. Why might God have asked Ezekiel the question, "Can these bones live?" 3. What did Ezekiel's answer indicate? 4. Why was Ezekiel told to prophesy to the bones? 5. How might we underestimate the power of God? "The Breath Came Into Them, and They Lived" 6. Why did Israel say, "Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost"? 7. What is required on our part to experience the Holy Spirit's regenerating power (37:14)? 8. What effects should a cleansed people have on the world?
Analyzing the Passage Ezekiel saw three conditions in his vision. First, he saw dry scattered bones. Then he saw bodies without life and, finally, living people. This could refer to Israel's past, present, and future. The graves (37:12-14) refer to the lands into which Israel had been scattered. The words breath, wind, and spirit are translated from the same Hebrew word. Principles and Applications "Can These Bones Live?" 1. The Spirit uses men of God to reach those who are spiritually dead (37: 1). In this vision God miraculously brought Ezekiel to this dismal valley with a mission. Like Philip (Acts 8) and Peter (Acts 10), God is able to bring His messengers together with spiritually dead persons desiring life. He does that yet today with messengers who are willing. 2. The world, like the valley, contains very many persons (37:2). They are "dead in trespasses and sins," "having no hope, and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:1, 12). God gives us a vision of their condition as we "pass by them round about" (37:2). 3. God calls us to consider what He can do for those who are spiritually dead (37:3). "Can these bones live?" We must believe that God is able to bring to life the worst of sinners. He uses people of faith to offer the Gospel of hope to lost humanity. 4. New life is communicated by the Word of God (37:4). It is truly the word of life. "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Believing and following the Bible saves the soul and meets the deepest need. 5. God deals progressively with men to bring them to Himself (37:5-9). The restoration of this exceeding great army was in successive steps. In bringing men to spiritual life, God also leads them gently, one step at a time. He does not quench the smoking flax (Matthew 12:20). "The Breath Came Into Them, and They Lived" 6. Those who are reborn become an exceeding great army (37:10). The redeemed are a multitude that no man can number (Revelation 7:9). God is a God of life and resurrection, and His power in redeeming people continues today. When we are reborn, we become part of His cho-
sen generation, His royal priesthood, and His holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). 7. God's promises give hope to the hopeless (37:11-14). The answer to hopelessness is to look to the Lord and to what He can do (37:3). When we look at ourselves or at things about us, we experience a growing sense of hopelessness. But when God is our focus, and His power is known, our outlook changes. 8. Unity is an evidence of the power of God at work in men's lives (37:21-22). The disunity Israel experienced as a nation because of their sin could be healed. Spiritual rebirth brings healing to our relationships with our fellow men. Divisions, envying, and strife give evidence of carnality (1 Corinthians 3:3). Godly wisdom is pure and peaceable (James 3:17). 9. Spiritual cleansing brings victory over detestable things (37:23). God hated Israel's idolatry and its accompanying wickedness. But their rebirth to life would result in leaving these sins behind them. So it is with us. God saves us from past sins and gives us power to live above sin. 10. When God brings the dead to life, they respond in pure worship (37:27). Worship results as we understand our position before a holy, powerful, and yet merciful God of love. What a privilege to be His people! And how wonderful to be called His people by God Himself. 11. People who are spiritually reborn give a powerful witness and testimony to the world (37:28). "And the heathen shall know" is the result of lives changed by the power of God. We will be seen as people who have been with Jesus (Acts 4:13), and all the glory will go to Him. Important Teachings 1. The Spirit uses men of God to reach those who are spiritually dead (37:1). 2. The world, like the valley, contains very many persons (37:2). 3. God calls us to consider what He can do for those who are spiritually dead (37:3). 4. New life is communicated by the Word of God (37:4). 5. God deals progressively with men to bring them to Himself (37:5-9). 6. Those who are reborn become an exceeding great army (37:10). 7. God's promises give hope to the hopeless (37:11-14). 8. Unity is an evidence of the power of God at work in men's lives (37:21-22).
9. Spiritual cleansing brings victory over detestable things (37:23). 10. When God brings the dead to life, they respond in pure worship (37:27). 11. People who are spiritually reborn give a powerful witness and testimony to the world (37:28). Answers to Questions 1. What is significant about the valley being full of bones, and that the bones were very dry? The valley of bones gives us a picture of what takes place when people depart from God. It depicts a bleak future without hope. "Full of bones" indicates multitudes of people. "Very dry" suggests total destitution. God's people were spiritually dead, sunk in hopelessness and despair. 2. Why might God have asked Ezekiel the question, "Can these bones live?" No doubt God wanted Ezekiel (and all who read this message) to think not only about Israel's seemingly hopeless condition but also about God's great power. Truly, God is able to restore the worst of sinners to life. 3. What did Ezekiel's answer indicate? Ezekiel was not evading the question. His answer showed faith and hope. From a human viewpoint, however, he could not understand how the bones could live. 4. Why was Ezekiel told to prophesy to the bones? God had a message of hope for His people. He wanted them to know that His Word brings life and meets man's deepest needs. 5. How might we underestimate the power of God? We might think that God is not able or willing to fulfill all His promises to His people. Concluding that some people are beyond the hope of salvation, excusing spiritual defeat and failure to overcome bad habits, and neglecting prayer and supplication indicate the underestimation of God's power. 6. Why did Israel say, "Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost"? Israel had been scattered among the nations, and Judah was being carried away captive. From a human standpoint, such a nation was without hope. 7. What is required on our part to experience the Holy Spirit's regen-
erating power (37:14)? The Spirit of God will dwell within our hearts only as we repent and allow the Lord Jesus Christ to redeem and regenerate us. Full surrender to His will and obedience to His Word are essential for the Spirit to indwell us. 8. What effects should a cleansed people have on the world? The lives of the cleansed people of God testify that God can save every sinner from sin. Their words and actions serve as a light that shows the world how to be saved. Holy living has a restraining, preserving effect on society (Matthew 5:13). Summarizing the Lesson "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28, 29). Research Guide 1. Read the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46). Note the helpless feelings of Mary and Martha. 2. Study the Scriptures listed under "Resurrection" in a topical Bible.