“The Valley of Dry Bones: Ezekiel’s Vision and the Promise of Restoration”

“The Valley of Dry Bones: Ezekiel’s Vision and the Promise of Restoration”

From Ezekiel 37:1-14

(Verses 1–3) The Valley of Dry Bones

“The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones. 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. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.”

The hand of the LORD came upon me:

Ezekiel was taken by God’s Spirit into a vision. This was not something he saw with his physical eyes, but something God showed him supernaturally. It was a powerful, spiritual experience where God wanted to show him something important, something only seen through the eyes of faith.

The valley… full of bones:

Ezekiel saw a valley covered with bones, countless bones, scattered everywhere. This was more than just death, it was complete ruin. The bones were very dry, showing that they had been dead for a long time. There was no life left, no hope left. This was a picture of Israel, broken, exiled, and spiritually dead.

These were not just bones; they were disgraced bones. In ancient times, an unburied body was a great shame. These bones had no proper burial, left exposed, forgotten, and hopeless.

“Can these bones live?”

God asked Ezekiel a powerful question. Humanly speaking, the answer was obviously “No.” These bones weren’t just dead—they were beyond dead. But Ezekiel wisely replied, “O Lord GOD, You know.”

He did not limit God. He left room for God to work a miracle. Ezekiel didn’t put hope in what he saw—he put his hope in God.

Ezekiel knew he could not do anything, but God could.

He didn’t assume anything, he trusted God to decide.

This is the right kind of faith: full trust in what God knows and can do.

(Verses 4–6) Speaking Life to the Dead

“Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

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.”

Prophesy to these bones:

God told Ezekiel to preach to the bones. It sounded foolish—speaking to dead, dry bones? But that’s exactly what God told him to do. Ezekiel obeyed, showing faith in the power of God’s word.

Preaching to bones seems pointless—until you remember who is speaking through you.

Paul later said the cross sounds foolish to the world (1 Corinthians 1:18), but it’s God’s power to save.

“O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD”:

These bones couldn’t hear in a natural sense, but God’s word has supernatural power. The miracle would not come from Ezekiel, it would come from the word of the LORD.

This teaches us:

Never underestimate the power of God’s Word.

Even when something seems hopeless, God’s Word brings life.

“I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live”:

God promised to bring life back into the bones, not just bones coming together, but real, living bodies again. Muscles, flesh, and skin would return. Most importantly, breath, life itself, would be given again.

This is revival. Not creating life from nothing, but restoring life to what was once alive but long dead. That’s what God can do with people, churches, or even whole nations.

The Hebrew word “ruach” means breath, wind, or Spirit. So when God said He would put “breath” in them, it also meant His Spirit. This is spiritual life—revival by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Verses 7–8) The Dead Bones Come Together

“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.

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.”

Ezekiel Obeyed  Even When It Seemed Strange

Ezekiel did exactly what God told him, even though it must have sounded odd, preaching to dry bones! But he trusted God more than his own logic.

Sometimes, obeying God will not make sense to our minds. But miracles begin with simple obedience.

The Bones Rattled and Came Together

As Ezekiel spoke, the bones began to make noise, rattling and shaking as they moved into place. Bones are connected to bones, forming full skeletons. God was putting things back in order.

God does not just throw things together; He restores with care and precision.

Every bone found its rightful place. God’s restoration is always the right fit.

Flesh and Skin Appeared – But No Breath Yet

Once the skeletons formed, muscles and skin grew over them. These were not just piles of bones anymore, they looked like people again. But they were still not alive. No breath. No spirit.

God’s work of revival often happens in stages:

• He shakes us awake.
• He brings things back into order.
• He adds strength and covering.
• But until His Spirit fills us, there is still no true life.

(Verses 9–10) God Breathes Life into the Bodies

“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.

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.”

Now, Speak to the Breath – Call the Spirit

God gave Ezekiel a second task—not to speak to the bones this time, but to call on the breath. The Word used here (“breath”) also means wind or Spirit. God was saying: Ask My Spirit to come and bring life.

Preaching the Word is powerful, but it must be joined with prayer for the Spirit of God to move.

“Come from the four winds…”

This is a poetic way of saying: “Come from everywhere, Spirit of God. Come with your full power.”

Whether through trials or blessings, north wind or south wind, we ask God’s Spirit to move where His Word has already gone.

Revival is not complete just by hearing sermons—we need the living breath of God to fill us.

And Breath Came – They Lived!

Ezekiel obeyed again. And this time, life came. The Spirit filled them. They stood up, not as individuals scattered across a valley, but as an army, strong, united, ready.

• God does not raise us just to sit down.
• He revives us to stand, to serve, to fight for His kingdom.

An Exceedingly Great Army

They did not come back to life to be passive spectators. They became an exceedingly great army, full of purpose and power.

With God’s Word and God’s Spirit, weak people become warriors.

• Without the Spirit, a church may look alive, but it’s still lifeless.
• With the Spirit, a dry valley becomes a mighty army

(Verses 11–14) God Explains the Vision to Ezekiel

“Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel…”

These Bones Represent All of Israel

God told Ezekiel plainly: The bones are the whole house of Israel.

This included not only the people of Judah (the southern kingdom) but also the people of Israel (the ten northern tribes) who had been scattered and lost for over 150 years.

Even when people forget God, He doesn’t forget them.

His promise to restore all of His people stands.

1. “Our Hope is Lost” – A Cry of Despair

The people felt like dry bones—hopeless, lifeless, and forgotten.

They said: “Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we are cut off.”

They were spiritually discouraged and felt abandoned.

But God heard their pain, and He had an answer of life and hope.

God’s Promise: “I Will Open Your Graves”

God used a new picture: instead of bones on the ground, He spoke of people buried in graves. And He said, “I will bring you out!”

God doesn’t leave His people buried in despair.

He brings them out of their graves, spiritually, emotionally, and even physically.

Even when everything seems dead and buried, God can resurrect hope.

“I Will Bring You Back to Your Own Land”

God promised not only life, but also restoration.

He said, “I will bring you into the land of Israel.”

God’s plan is not just to revive you, but to restore you.

Not just to breathe life into you, but to place you where you belong.

“You Will Know That I Am the LORD”

Through this miracle of revival and restoration, the people would know without a doubt: God is real. God is powerful. God is faithful.

God uses both hardship and healing to reveal His glory.

1. “I Will Put My Spirit in You, and You Shall Live”

God was not just promising physical life—He was promising spiritual renewal through His Holy Spirit.

This ties back to His promise in Ezekiel 36:27: “I will put my Spirit within you.”

It’s not enough just to be alive—we need to be Spirit-filled.

Lessons for Us Today

This passage is about Israel’s future. But it also shows us how God brings revival to dry, hopeless places—whether it’s a person, a church, or a nation. Here’s how:

• God’s people may feel dry, dead, or forgotten, but He sees and remembers them.
• God’s Word revives.
• God’s Spirit brings true life.
• God’s plan is to restore, not just revive.
• God raises up His people to be an army, strong and ready to serve.
• Even when hope seems lost, God is not done yet.

One Kingdom Under One King

(Verses 15–17) Two Sticks Become One

“Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it…”

1. Two Sticks – One for Judah, One for Israel

God told Ezekiel to take two sticks. On one, he wrote Judah, and on the other, Ephraim (Joseph), which represented the ten northern tribes of Israel.

This showed that although the nation had been divided for centuries, God still saw them as His one people.

Ephraim Stands for the Northern Kingdom

Ephraim was one of Joseph’s sons and the leading tribe of the north. Often in the Bible, “Ephraim” was used to mean all ten northern tribes.

Even though the northern kingdom had fallen long ago, God had not forgotten them.

He was preparing to bring Judah and Ephraim together again.

1. Join the Sticks Together – One Nation Again

God told Ezekiel to join the two sticks into one, symbolising the future reunion of all twelve tribes into one united kingdom.

This act was not just symbolic; it was a prophetic picture of what God would do.

He would heal centuries of division and make His people one again.

What This Does not Mean

Some false teachers (like certain Mormon teachings) claim these sticks represent two books, the Bible and the Book of Mormon. That’s not supported by Scripture at all.

These sticks clearly represent the people of Israel and Judah, not books or scrolls.

• God brings together what man has broken apart.
• He unites what has been divided.
• He does not just patch things up; He makes one people who are held together by His Word and Spirit.

2. (Verses 18-20) The Meaning of the Joined Sticks

“And when the children of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not show us what you mean by these?’…”

1. Why the People Were Confused

Ezekiel’s audience was puzzled by the vision of the two sticks. They could not understand why God would be concerned about the northern kingdom (Ephraim) after it had been destroyed so many years earlier.

God was showing that no one is forgotten.

Even though the northern tribes seemed lost, God still had a plan for them. He would bring them back together with Judah.

“Make Them One Stick, and They Will Be One in My Hand”

God was declaring that He would unite the divided tribes into one Nation again, under one King.

No more division, God would reunite His people, bringing peace and unity.

This act of joining the two sticks symbolised the healing of long-standing divisions.

Insights to Remember:

• God brings healing to broken things—whether it’s relationships, nations, or lives.
• Unity in God’s kingdom is not just about physical togetherness—it’s about being united in purpose and heart.

3. (Verses 21-23) The Promise to Gather, Unify, and Restore Israel

“Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land…”

1. Gathering from the Nations

God promised that He would bring the scattered Israelites back from every corner of the earth and restore them to their own Land.

This restoration was not just a return from Babylon; it would be a grand gathering of the Israelites from all over the world, something yet to happen fully.

One Nation in the Land

God would reunite His people into one Nation once more, no longer divided into two kingdoms (Judah and Israel).

This promise looks beyond their return from exile. It points to a time when Israel will be whole again, under God’s rule, united in purpose and worship.

Purity and Holiness

God promised that the people would no longer be defiled by idols or sin. He would cleanse them, purifying their hearts and actions.

True unity is rooted in holiness and devotion to God. It’s not about compromise but a genuine relationship with the Lord.

Insights to Remember:

• God’s promise of unity includes both physical and spiritual restoration.
• Unity in God’s kingdom means living in purity and holiness.

4. (Verses 24-28) David, King Over the Restored Israel

“David, my servant, shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd…”

1. David as King

God promised that David would be their King again. But how could David rule when he had been dead for centuries?

This points to a future time when a descendant of David (the Messiah) will reign over all of Israel. Jesus, the Son of David, fulfils this promise as the eternal King.

1. Dwelling in the Promised Land Forever

God promised that His people would dwell in the Land He gave to Jacob (Israel) forever. It would be a land of peace and prosperity.

This is not just a historical promise; it points to God’s ultimate plan to restore Israel and the world in the age to come.

1. An Everlasting Covenant of Peace

God would make a covenant of peace with Israel, one that would last forever. This covenant would establish them as His people and He would be their God.

The New Covenant (described in Jeremiah 31) brings peace and a renewed relationship between God and His people. Jesus is the fulfilment of this covenant.

1. The Sanctuary in Their Midst

God promised to set His sanctuary (His presence) in the midst of His people, and all the nations would know that He is the holy God who sanctifies Israel.

God’s presence would dwell among His people, making them distinct from all other nations. This is the ultimate blessing—to have God Himself in our midst.

Insights to Remember:

• Jesus, the Son of David, will be the eternal King, bringing peace and unity to Israel and the world.
• God’s presence with His people is the greatest blessing of all.
• The Land of Israel points to a future, eternal kingdom where God reigns.

Final Reflection

These promises in Ezekiel remind us that God’s plans are always for the good of His people, whether it is a physical land, spiritual restoration, or the unifying work He does in our hearts. God’s kingdom will be marked by peace, holiness, and His eternal presence. This gives us hope for the future and challenges us to live in unity with others, pursuing purity and faithfulness to the Lord.

“And My servant David shall be their prince forever.” – Ezekiel 37:25

“The Valley of Dry Bones: Ezekiel’s Vision and the Promise of Restoration”

DTA – Neil McBride

(CEO and founder of Downtown Angels)