- The Explore the Bible lesson for Jan. 9 focuses on Ezekiel 37:1-14.
One of the greatest comebacks in sports history was a 1992 playoff game between the Houston Oilers and the Buffalo Bills. Trailing the Oilers 35-3 in the third quarter and being led by a back-up quarterback, Frank Reich, the Bills’ season appeared to be over. There was no reason to think this game would end any different than their loss to the same team just a week earlier.
Yet, despite having every reason to give up and their season seemingly being dead, the Bills rallied under Reich’s leadership to come back and win the game in overtime, 41-38. The game has become one of the greatest modern pictures of overcoming great odds and breathing new life into hopeless situations.
One of the greatest ancient images of breathing life into a hopeless situation is found in Ezekiel 37. The vision in this chapter of God reorganizing and reanimating a valley of dry bones was one of God’s strongest messages to Israel that though their situation looked hopeless and their existence at an end, he was going to raise them back to life. This passage is the beginning of a list of reflections on God’s restoration of Israel, including his defeat of evil (38-39), the return of his glory to the Temple (43), his blessing of the Messiah (44) and the full experience of his presence in the renamed city of Jerusalem as “Yahweh is there.”
Although this passage is focused in specifically on God’s work and restoration with Israel, like much of the Old Testament, it gives us a template for understanding God’s disposition toward restoring people as a whole. In every person and circumstance, God sees the potential for salvation, calls those who serve as mediators to present the life-giving message he sends to humanity, and promises the presence of his Spirit to enliven and empower those who respond to his work in their life.
The Potential (Ezekiel 37:1-6)
God speaks to Ezekiel and leads him in a vision to see the valley where all their discussions began (Ezekiel 3:22) filled with bones. There is nothing inherently symbolic about the present description of the bones and their reformation into fully formed human bodies in this text. Their placement, however, in the midst of a vision and with the connection to the word of the Lord, the breath of the Lord and their subsequent knowing that he is the Lord tells us that the picture is about both a physical and spiritual restoration of Israel.
Indeed, as with so much of the biblical material’s discussion of God’s saving work with humanity, it is impossible to separate the spiritual renewal from a physical future. This is, at least in part, at the heart of the doctrine of the resurrection and a clear mandate to believers today to minister to the whole body when we talk about evangelism and discipleship.
The last few verses of this passage highlight the potential work of the Spirit and the potential future of those whom God raises. God highlights the close connection between this new work and his past creative work when he mentions his “breath” entering into the reformed bodies (5). Though we could see this quite literally as the air that is necessary to breathe and live, it undoubtedly has a double intention in that the word for breath can also be translated “spirit.” This seems like an equally appropriate translation given where the passage then proceeds.
The Presentation (Ezekiel 37:7-10)
Before proceeding to the final act of reanimation, God highlights the role of his mediator(s) in his work. Ezekiel reports that at the same moment he began to prophesy, God began to accomplish his miraculous work of restoration. The repeated refrain of “prophesy” highlights the significance for the events that occur. God in his sovereign will and gracious work, allows those who are his to participate in the miraculous. This pairing should give us both a sense of great responsibility and a confidence to carry out that responsibility.
The Promise (Ezekiel 37:11-14)
Now the vision is given meaning with God’s explanation to Ezekiel. Israel is in a state of hopelessness. The people don’t see a way forward. This God-given vision and Ezekiel’s preaching are the answer to such an outlook. God promises a complete restoration with his Spirit dwelling within his people. The work is as good as complete in the promise of God. It is Israel’s and our precious hope.
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Today, we are called to minister to a hopeless generation. Although our message may not seem as dramatic as Ezekiel’s, the offer of purpose in place of purposeless, hope in place of hopelessness and death in place of life is as dramatic and significant as any offer ever made. God sees in the people around us the potential for life and relationship, we should too. God challenges us to present his word in the power of his Spirit. God promises us a renewed life and empowered existence through the presence of his Spirit. God’s offer is complete, are we being faithful to carry it out?
Timothy Pierce, Ph.D., is associate professor of Christian studies at East Texas Baptist University.
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