Prophet Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones, in Ezekiel 37, is one of the most powerful stories in the Bible. And it’s also one of the few chapters in the Old Testament that talks about the resurrection of the dead explicitly.
While this vision creates a physical imagery of dry bones, there’s a spiritual meaning behind it. Moreover, there are hidden messages in the biblical records for the modern Christians and the generations to come.
This article will walk you through every key detail of the vision of the dry bones, including its spiritual significance. Let’s begin with this prophetic story in the scriptures!
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According to the biblical narrative of Ezekiel 37, the hand of the Lord was upon Ezekiel. And so, the spirit of the Lord took him to the middle of a valley full of bones. As Ezekiel moved around the place, he saw many dry bones on the floor of the valley.
The Lord God asked him, “Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel replied, saying, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know” (Ezekiel 37:3). Then, God commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones to hear the word of the Lord.
Here’s what the Lord told Ezekiel concerning the bones: “I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”
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So Ezekiel prophesied to the bones as he was instructed. As he was prophesying, there was a rattling sound, and the bones began to join together. Afterwards, tendons and flesh appeared on the bones, and skin covered them; yet, they had no breath.
The Lord said to Ezekiel, “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 obeyed the Lord’s instruction, and the breath of life entered into the lifeless bones, and they began to breathe. As soon as the bodies received new life, they rose to their feet to form a vast army.
Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones in the valley symbolizes the people of Israel in the Babylonian captivity during that period. Even though they were alive, they were like people who had no breath in them. They decreed that their bones are dried up, their hope is gone, and they’re cut off.
The reason for these happenings is clearly stated in the book of Ezekiel 36:16-38. This passage speaks of the detestable things the Israelites did and the punishment they received from God for them. The Lord dispersed them among the nations and countries because of their unholy deeds.
But afterwards, the Lord made a covenant of peace with them because of His holy name. Then, He commanded Ezekiel to tell the whole house of Israel that he will bring them back to their land. He promised to cleanse them from their impurities with clean water and also give them new hearts and spirits.
To assure Ezekiel of His everlasting covenant to the people of Israel, the Lord said to him,
“Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:12-14).
What Does Reviving the Dry Bones Signify?
Christians who study the word of God diligently understand that God does everything for a specific purpose. The vision that was revealed to Ezekiel carries a profound message that proves God will fulfill His unconditional promise to His people.
By reviving the dry bones in the valley, God was revealing his plan for Israel’s restoration as a nation. That’s not all; the vision implies that Israel’s restoration is dependent on the power of God and not the people’s situation.
In Ezekiel 37:5, the Lord promised to breathe on the pile of bones and make them come to life. This prophecy suggests both physical and spiritual revival of the bones by the spirit of God.
Jesus says in John 6:63, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” In other words, while the physical restoration of the lifeless bodies is important, it is spiritual rebirth that guarantees eternal life.
Ezekiel 37:15-28 reveals God’s plan to unify the nation of Israel under one king. The Lord God told Ezekiel to take two sticks: a stick of Judah and the Israelites associated with him and a stick of Joseph and the Israelites associated with him. Then, he should join them together to become a single stick of wood in his hands to symbolize the children of Israel as one nation.
In Ezekiel 37:25, the Lord God decreed that his servant David will be king of the Israelites and they will have one shepherd. This verse of the scripture refers to the future reign of Jesus Christ, the eternal king from the house of David (Luke 1:31-33).
Lessons from the Valley of Dry Bones in the Bible
There is always one or more lessons to learn from God’s word, and Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones is not an exception. Let’s discuss some of the key lessons this biblical story teaches us as followers of Christ today!
Ezekiel must have been surprised when he saw the bones transforming into humans to form an exceedingly great army. Anyone who witnesses such a miracle will continue to think about it throughout their life.
Ezekiel’s vision doesn’t only prove that God’s power has no equal, but it also proves that all things are possible with God. There are many other miraculous stories in the scriptures that will make you appreciate the supremacy of God.
If God can give life to dry bones, what can be so hard for him to do? Nothing. The Lord God can heal the sick; He can raise the dead and also make the barren a mother of multiple children. We’ve read about his mighty deeds in the lives of those who put their trust in him. We’ve also seen, heard, and experienced his acts of greatness in the lives of his children.
So whatever situation you may be going through that seems difficult, pray to God to help you overcome it. Luke 1:37 assures us that “nothing will be impossible with God.”
Likewise, Ephesians 3:20 says God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. All you have to do is to believe in God and obey his divine commands, and you’ll experience his acts of greatness.
The Bible records that the bones Ezekiel saw in the middle of the valley were very dry. Still, the prophet of God did not entertain unbelief when the Lord asked if the bones could live.
Moreover, he did not argue or disagree with God even though it seems impossible for the bones to come to life. Instead, he followed the Lord’s instructions diligently until the bones transformed gradually into living beings.
Any believer who wants to experience the miraculous power of God must practice complete obedience at all times.
Naaman would have missed out on healing if he hadn’t bathed in the Jordan River according to the instruction of the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5). Moses and the Israelites would have missed out on God’s deliverance at the Red Sea if they had disobeyed God (Exodus 14).
Sometimes, the divine assignments that will lead to your breakthrough may seem illogical. However, it is not your duty to make sense of spiritual things. Rather, you should pray for the grace to follow God’s command and also rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
3. Words are Powerful
Every series of events that made the dry bones come to life began with the words from the prophet of God.
Of course, God can complete his miracles without saying a word or including Ezekiel in the process. Nevertheless, the Lord gave the prophet the grace and opportunity to prophesy into the bones until they began to live again.
We understand from this passage of the Bible that our words can restore every situation that looks dead and hopeless.
Proverbs 18:21 makes us understand that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” In other words, the things we say can either make or break us. So as believers in Christ, you should learn to speak life into situations, no matter how hopeless they may look.
Prophet Ezekiel is human just like the rest of us who worked with God to do exploits by simply making positive declarations. Today, determine to always speak positive words to yourself and to others.
If you have a habit of using swear words or cuss words whenever you’re angry or sad, desist from this ungodly act. Remember the word of Jesus Christ in Matthew 12:36, which says, on the judgment day, people will give account of every careless word they speak.
Kennie Oguntoyinbo is a freelance content writer, editor and proofreader with over 4 years of experience. She is highly skilled in creating captivating and informative content across the Christian, relationship, and parenting niches. With a deep love for Christian-related articles, she writes content that inspires the readers, combining biblical lessons with practical knowledge. Whether writing devotional blogs, relationship advice, or family-focused articles, she aims to glorify God while connecting with readers through relatable, encouraging, faith-driven articles.
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