‘Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” – Luke 18:27 (NIV)
The Prophet Ezekiel played a significant role in the spiritual lives of His people during the Babylonian exile of the Israelites. Ezekiel was one of the younger men taken to Babylon in the first captivity, which occurred in 597 B.C. As Prophet and Priest, he brought messages of hope to the Hebrew exiles who were allowed to live in a colony by themselves near the banks of the Kebar River.
Ezekiel prophesied that the exiles (who kept God’s precepts) from both Judah and Israel would return, leaving none in the Diaspora. In the imminent new age, a new covenant would be made with the restored house of Israel, to whom God would give a new spirit and a new heart. The restoration would be an act of divine grace for the sake of God’s name (Ezekiel 36:24-26).
Ezekiel 37:1-14 reveals that God used the scenario of very dry bones in a valley to symbolise the people of Israel in Babylonian captivity. The people declared that their bones were all dried up, and their hope was gone. They were cut off from God. God, however, commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the people and inform them that He, the Lord, says He will open their graves and bring them up. He will take them back to the land of Israel.
Beloved, dry bones are symbols of spiritual lifelessness, death, hopelessness, and a grave mentality of helplessness. It’s like the lights are on, but nobody is home, similar to the mentally challenged and vagrants on our streets. Even some of the wealthy, away from the public eye, are miserable and struggling since one cannot purchase hope, peace of mind, and positivity. Or cannot purchase fun memories to replace those of being molested, etc. These are merely a microcosm of dry-bones situations that are ever present in the lives of many who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
Friends, if there is a dry-bone situation in your life, and you are experiencing dryness in your finances, job search, relationship with your children and spouse, business performance, loyal friends, promotion opportunities on the job, eradication of destructive habits, etc., God is saying “Dry Bones Live again!”. He can turn it around. Proverbs 3:7-8 (NIV) states, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
Remember, God loves you so much that He gave His only begotten Son, so whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). I am part of the “whosoever”; you can join me today. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, and watch Him give you new life.
Read: Ezekiel 37:9; Hebrews 8:10
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 71:1-8; Acts 4:1-22; 2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12
