These Bones Shall Live!

Ezekiel Ch 37 v 1 - 14 These Bones Shall Live! Ezekiel and Daniel were prophets to the Jews in captivity.

I. The Revelation A. THE PLACING OF THE PROPHET v. 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, God had put Ezekiel in this place. a. He mentions the Hand of God was upon him.

b. The Spirit of the Lord carried him to this valley. B. THE PREPARING OF THE PROPHET V. 2 And caused me to pass by them round about: God had to open Ezekiel’s eyes to see these conditions. Now describe what you see… I see many, very many bones, and this an open valley, as far as my eye can see, I see bones, and they are very dry. Mark 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. He Saw :- (a) The Difficulties "in the midst of the valley which was full of bones," (b) The Death "valley which was full of bones," (c) The Dearth v.2 "and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry." C. THE PROVING OF THE PROPHET v 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? (a) He Was To Proceed With Divine Expectancy - 37:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live?

(b) He Was To Preach with Divine Urgency - 37:4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

(c) He Was To Proclaim With Divine Authority - 37: 5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: (d)) He Was To Pray With Divine Fervency - 37:9,10 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.

2. The Ruin (Picture Of Israel) v.2 there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. We have to recognize that men and women in the world today are: 1) Spiritually Lifeless “ the valley …was full of bones”(37:1). These bones denote death. Although people around us may be charming, intellectual, reasonable, and apparently fit, they are spiritually dead. Paul tells us that until the Holy Spirit quickens men and women to spiritual life they are “dead in trespasses and in sins”(Eph. 2:1). 2) Spiritually Useless “ indeed they were very dry”(37:2). Unbleached bones may have a purpose, but when “very dry”they are worthless; it only remains for them to be gathered and burned. “They have together become unprofitable … (Rom. 3:12). The New Testament word perish (apollumi) is the term used of persons who are devoid of etemal life. 3) Spiritually Hopeless “Our bones are dry, our hope is lost … (37:11). The Scripture speaks of the unregenerate as “having no hope and without God in the world”(Eph. 2:12). 3. The Remedy 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? A. THE MOVING OF GOD! And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

B. THE MAN OF GOD! 4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, God has chosen to use men in His plan and program. Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? C. THE MESSAGE OF GOD! 4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 4. The Reviving 1. The Sovereigns Command - 37:9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind,

2. The Spirits Coming - 37:9 Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

3. The Soldiers Completion - 37:10 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.