I want to begin our message with one woman’s testimony of her visit to a chilling archaeological site in Peru. Erin Lyyc says of her approach to the location, “Against the parched Andean earth [are] flecks of brilliant white. Drawing closer, there are hundreds – [no] thousands – of what look from afar like smooth, white pebbles. Woven among them, scraps of cotton bleached by decades of blinding sun, and piles of what appear to be broken sticks; but this sun-whitened debris is not at all what it seems.” “Something gets stuck in my sandal, and as I try to flick it free with one finger, I realize it is, in fact, a piece of human bone. There are bone shards everywhere.” “Across this vast plain, the remains of an unknown number of humans lie scattered in the open.” This site “marks one of the largest graveyards in Latin America; Chauchilla Cemetery in Peru’s Nazca region.”(1)
In Jeremiah 8:1-2, the prophet told of what would happen to God’s people when the Babylonians invaded: “At that time, says the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of its princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves. They shall spread them before the sun and the moon and all the host of heaven, which they have loved and which they have served and after which they have walked, which they have sought and which they have worshiped. They shall not be gathered nor buried; they shall be like refuse on the face of the earth.” Because Israel worshipped false gods and idols, Jeremiah prophesied that, in the very valley where they sacrificed their sons and daughters to Baal, the bones of Israel would be strewn out in the sun (Jeremiah 7:9, 31-33).
That prophecy came true, and as Ezekiel was sent by God to preach to the captives of Babylon, he was taken to just such a valley; and the shock and horror experienced by the young woman who visited the valley of bones in Nazca, Peru cannot compare to the gruesome scene Ezekiel would behold in what is called “The Valley of Dry Bones.” I’ve entitled our message this morning, “Can These Bones Live?” and we’re going to get started by reading through our main passage. So, if you would, I invite you to stand with me in honor of the reading of God’s Word in Ezekiel chapter 37, verses 1-14.
The Valley of Dry Bones (vv. 1-14)
1 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; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So, I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” 4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD’.”
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. 9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live’.” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,’ says the LORD.”
We read in this passage that Ezekiel was brought out in the Spirit of the Lord, and was set down in the midst of a valley (v. 1). Scattered across the valley floor, as far as Ezekiel could see were bones – bleached dry bones. To the north, south, east, and west there was nothing but bones.(2) “It was as if Ezekiel had been set down upon a former field of battle where thousands had been slain and their bodies left unburied.”(3) “The message to the prophet is graphic: There is no life here. None.”(4) “From above the valley, the voice of the Lord thunders a question: ‘Can these bones live?’ (v. 3). Ezekiel does not answer right away. I mean, what if these are the bones of previous prophets who gave the wrong answer? He [then] humbly says, ‘Only you know’ (Ezekiel 37:3 HCSB).”(5)
“Next, Ezekiel is commanded to proclaim the word of the Lord to the inanimate bones. As the words are spoken, actions occur. This is the spoken word of Yahweh. The word carries . . . its own power to call into being. Thus, you have in Israelite thought the ‘creative word,’ such as that which is used in the Genesis creation narratives.”(6) For example, we read in Genesis 1:3, “Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” God “said,” or rather, He “spoke.” So, the word was spoken by Ezekiel; and, as it was voiced, creation transpired.(7) “As he preached, the bones came together. In the words of the [African American] spiritual: ‘The toe bone connected to the foot bone; the foot bone connected to the ankle bone; the ankle bone connected to the leg bone’”(8) and so forth.
Notice how the skeletons had been transformed, but something was still wrong. Instead of there being a pile of bones lying on the ground, there was now a mass of dead bodies strewn across the landscape. They had flesh on them, but they were still lifeless. “The prophet was [then] told, ‘Prophesy to the breath (ruach) . . . and say to the breath (ruach) . . . Come from the four winds (ruachoth), and breathe upon the slain’ (v. 9).”(9) This Hebrew word play on the terms ruach (breath) and ruachoth (winds) is meant to grab your attention, because what is being emphasized here is very important.
The word ruach can mean “spirit” (lower case), as in a person’s spirit; but it is also the term for the “Spirit” (upper case), as in God’s Holy Spirit, which was present at the creation, as seen in Genesis 1:2, which says, “And the Spirit [ruach] of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” The message is this: The life-force of this once great people – whoever they were – had been scattered across the earth unto the four winds, unto the uttermost parts of the earth; but it was now being called back. The people were being called to return. But the most important thing to note is that this could not occur apart from the ruach, the only force that is able to create and animate life – the Holy Spirit of God.
In verse 11a, the Lord told Ezekiel what these bones represented. He said, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.” Those being called to return from where they had been scattered were God’s chosen people. It’s important to note that “it was a humiliating thing for the body of a dead Jew not to be washed, wrapped, and buried with dignity in a grave or a tomb. These bodies were left on the battlefield to become food for the vultures to eat and objects for the sun to bleach. But the Lord had warned Israel in the covenant He made with them that their sins would lead to just that kind of shameful experience.”(10)
For example, we read in Deuteronomy chapter 28, “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that . . . the LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. Your carcasses shall be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and no one shall frighten them away” (28:15, 25-26).
“The bones scattered upon the plain symbolized the whole house of Israel,” both the Northern and Southern kingdoms, who had been at war with one another for a long time. They also represented those carried off by the Babylonians to other parts of the world.(11) Commentator Matthew Henry says, “The Jews in Babylon were like those dead and dry bones, unlikely to ever come together, less likely to be formed into a body, and least of all to be a living body. [Ezekiel] was made to confess their case as deplorable, and not to be helped by any power less than that of God Himself.”(12) The Spirit of God was the only one who could heal a people made lifeless by sin, weakened by civil war, and scattered by invading nations.
There are two main points here. The first point is that “Israel has no hope.”(13) We read in verse 11b, “They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’” We are told in The Broadman Bible Commentary that “the full implication was that Israel, as Yahweh’s people and nation, was no more . . . For [God’s people], the exile had become not only their physical but national burial site. Their hopes, dreams, glories, and nationalism had been entombed in an alien land.”(14)
This is how many of us in America feel today. The Broadman commentary mentioned the Israelite’s hopes, dreams and glories. Our hope of a better life, of living the “American dream” of having a good job, owning a home, paying our bills, and maybe even enjoying some recreation or going on vacation, or perhaps even having retirement and social security – all of this seems to be fading away! And if the problems aren’t affecting us, they’re hurting our children and grandchildren.
The Broadman commentary also mentioned the Jew’s nationalism being “entombed in an alien land.” A definition of “nationalism” is “identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests.” Nationalism includes patriotism and love of country. The news channels today are labeling nationalism as a bad thing, calling it “white nationalism,” declaring it to be responsible for the January 6, 2021 assault on our nation’s capital. For example, a February 3, 2020 USA Today article says that we need to confront nationalism in the military, because too many of our troops hold nationalistic views.(15)
Nationalism is being equated with Christianity. For example, a January 13, 2021 Christianity Today article headlines, “Christian Nationalism Is Worse Than You Think,” and the article has a subheading that states, “The Insurrection and White Evangelicals.”(16) We’re being told that nationalism is a crime; that those with a sense of nationalism are domestic terrorists; and Christians are being lumped into this category of terrorism. All of our hopes, dreams, glories and nationalism are being stripped away in America, as our nation has fallen into captivity. This captivity is being brought about by those adhering to socialist views, who want to regulate and control every facet of our lives.
All the problems we’re witnessing right now are the result of sin. We are seeing “in-fighting” in our nation – what some are calling a “soft civil war” – as one side leans heavily towards policies that scoff at biblical morality, and the other side is striving to stand on conservative values. Really, it’s a spiritual war; one that can be boiled down to the classic good versus evil standoff. But our nation is quickly becoming a valley of dry bones. It seems like it’s dying; and it might already be there. And many of the problems we’re seeing in our nation are reflected in the church, as churches are divided and fighting. Christians can’t seem to agree or get along with each other; and, as a result, churches are on the decline.
Let me say it again; it all comes back to sin. And the question we see in verse three is something the Lord is leading the church to consider about America: “Can these bones live?” Matthew Henry applies the question this way: “Can your philosophy reach to put life into these dry bones, or your politics to restore a captive nation?”(17) There are many policies being made right now by our government to try and restore this country to its former glory; but many of the things being touted as leading to prosperity are the very things bringing us into captivity. Why? Because they are the ways of man. Think of it this way: In terms of a human life, nothing of man’s devising can resurrect a dead body; and in the same way, no human philosophy can resurrect a dead or dying nation.
So, how did we get here? Why is our nation divided? Well, I think we need to take a hard look at ourselves as believers. Perhaps the fighting in our churches is not a reflection of our nation, but just the opposite. Maybe the fighting in our nation is instead a reflection of our churches; and I believe that what’s happening in our churches, and thus our country, is the result of living contrary to the teachings of the Bible; or, as I said before, it’s the result of sin. Allow me to provide four brief examples of how we, as Christians, have failed to believe and adhere to the teachings of the Scripture.
1.) The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, [and] for instruction in righteousness.” But many within the church do not believe the Bible to be inspired; and therefore, they choose not to live by its teachings. 2.) We read in Matthew 5:23-24, “Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Christians are supposed to reconcile their differences before coming together for worship; but instead, they often harbor unforgiveness and resentment towards another believer.
3.) In Hebrews 10:24-25, we read, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Instead of meeting together for worship, a lack of love and consideration has led many to dropping out of church altogether. We would rather run away than face our problems and work toward reconciliation. 4.) Lastly, Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” How many Christians are active in winning the lost to Christ and discipling new believers? The number one thing we see in the Scripture that will save a nation is when people turn to God; and that starts by getting people saved!
The point is, the church has failed in its devotion to God; and thus, we have failed in our mission. The eyes of the nation have always looked to church, and all we have been teaching is hypocrisy, fighting and division. This has resulted in the downfall of our country. And it often looks as if there’s no hope; that this nation is slowly dying – but there is hope! In verse 12, Ezekiel is told to prophesy and say to the disheartened people of God, “Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.” The Lord said that He would bring His people out of their “graves of despair” back to the Promised Land of Israel, and back to the holy city of Jerusalem; and God can bring America back from despair as well if we, the church, start getting serious about our devotion and mission.
“The second point is the major point: God will come out of nowhere. When everything is past hope, He will restore life. Why? So that we may know He is God and He alone has done it.”(18) We read in verses 13-14, “Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves . . . and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land.”
Time of Reflection
Now, let me shift gears and point out that there is a two-fold meaning to this prophecy. It speaks not only of the physical, but the spiritual. Let’s look again at where God commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the wind. “In the Hebrew language, the word ruah can mean wind, breath, spirit, and Spirit”(19) capital, as in the Holy Spirit. In looking again at the creation account, Genesis 2:7 says, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” We see that Adam was made complete physically, but he had no life – and thus, no animation – until the breath of life entered him (v. 7).(20) In the same way, we have no spiritual life until the ruah of God – the Holy Spirit – enters us. The Spirit comes by way of Jesus. In John 20:22, we read of Jesus that “He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’.”
Commentator Warren Wiersbe stated in reference to Israel, “There will come a day when God’s living word of command will go forth and call His people from their graves . . . The nation will not have spiritual life until they see their Messiah, believe on Him, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit of life.”(21) One day, Israel would have true “spiritual” life when the Messiah would arrive. Well, that day has come; not only for Israel, but for all of us! Jesus Christ was born just over 2000 years ago to die for our sins on the cross, to atone for the sins of Israel and for all mankind. According to John 3:16 and Romans 10:9-10, when we believe in Jesus and confess Him as Savior and Lord, we will be saved from our sins; and at the moment of our confession, we receive the Holy Spirit that quickens us unto eternal life.
NOTES
(1) Erin Lyyc, “Travel Guide: Chauchilla Cemetery, Peru,” Tech News, Travel, Life: https://erinlyyc.wordpress.com/2016/04/26/travel-guide-chauchilla-peru-cemetary/ (Accessed January 7, 2021).
(2) Mario Murillo, Vessels of Fire & Glory (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 2020), p. 27.
(3) John T. Bunn, “Ezekiel,” The Broadman Bible Commentary, vol. 6 (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971), p. 342.
(4) Murillo, p. 27.
(5) Ibid., pp. 27-28.
(6) Bunn, p. 342.
(7) Ibid., p. 342.
(8) John H. Tullock, The Old Testament Story (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000), p. 277.
(9) Ibid., p. 277.
(10) Warren Wiersbe, “Old Testament,” The Wiersbe Bible Commentary (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2007), p. 1330.
(11) Bunn, p. 343.
(12) Matthew Henry, The NIV Matthew Henry Commentary in One Volume (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992), p. 1105.
(13) Murillo, p. 28.
(14) Bunn, p. 343.
(15) “Confront Military’s White Supremacy and Nationalism Head-on, Or It Will Get Worse: Veteran,” USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/02/03/confront-racism-white-supremacy-nationalism-in-military-column/4356504001/ (Accessed February 4, 2021).
(16) “Christian Nationalism Is Worse Than You Think,” Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/quick-to-listen/christian-nationalism-capitol-riots-trump-podcast.html (Accessed February 4, 2021).
(17) Henry, p. 1105.
(18) Murillo, p. 28.
(19) Wiersbe, 1330.
(20) Ibid., 1330.
(21) Ibid., pp. 1330-1331.
