The dried bones convey a life giving message to the dejected ones. When ezekiel was thirty years old, the age priests began their service numbers 4. The hand of the lord was upon ezekiel, israels exiled prophet, and he was set down in the midst of a vast and dismal valley, a valley not of the shadow of death, but of the gruesome relics of death. God has taught many wonderful lessons in some rather unusual ways. Ezekiels gospel reveals his vision, in which he was carried by god and set down in a valley that was full of dry bones. However, both this short film and the dry bones song share the same inspiration. The audience was moved and touched by this message and so. Even as i peck out these thoughts, a version of ezekiel connecta dem dry bones is coursing through my head.
Son of man, these bones are the whole house of israel. Doughty southside christian church december 2014 introduction. We may be quick to dismiss ezekiel s actions as bold. Ezekiel obeys in the vision and preaches to the dry bones.
But it contains a beautiful gospel picture of gods power to raise those who are dead in trespasses and sins. A commentary on the book of ezekiel by pastor galen l. Ezekiel is ordered to prophesy upon these bones ezek. Ezekiel was sent by god to give a message to the children of israel. Timothy flemming sr live sunday morning at mount carmel baptist church where he pastors. The vision of the dry bones restored to life again, as symbolical of israels death and resurrection. Ezekiel is telling god that god is in charge in control. Three stages in israels revival present themselves to the prophets eye. In a vision, ezekiel is set down in a valley plain that is covered with bones.
The old testament was written for our learning romans 15. Brothers and sisters, i dont want us to take this moment for granted. Apr 22, 2012 valley of dry bones ezekiel 37 sermon. We are going to see today what god showed the prophet ezekiel so long ago, that spiritual awakening is within our reach. Ezekiel 37 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. He was 30 years old when called to be a prophet of the lord to the exiles in babylon. The vision of dry bones is more interesting when we read between the lines. Ezekiel 37 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Ezekiel was to tell the bones that god would make breath enter the bones and they would come to life, just as in the creation of man when he breathed life into adam genesis 2. Ezekiel was a prophet of judgement but, you know, ezekiel was more than a prophet of judgement because he brought hope to gods people. God transported ezekiel probably not literally, but in a visionto a valley full of dry bones and directed him to speak to the bones. Them dry bones a live sermon timothy flemming youtube.
What is the significance of breaking this reanimation of life into two stages. Ezekiel lived in his own house in a settlement called telabib by the river of chebar ezekiel 3. The vividness of its imagery, the wonder of its unfolding narrative, and visceral appeal of its symbolism endow it with a sort of plugandplay appealeven an uninitiated reader can engage with this wonderful story. We are going to see today what god showed the prophet ezekiel so long ago, that spiritual awakening is within our. Ezekiel is noted for the bold and striking imagery of his prophecies and this is one of the most vivid of all. Ezekiel 37 bible commentary john gills exposition of the bible. The valley of dry bones sermon by ian humphrey, ezekiel 37. It is again a promise of salvation and restoration to gods chosen people. Aug 19, 2008 this is a great sermon that was preached by rev. This commentary is based upon my personal devotional notes and reflections on the book of ezekiel.
Ezekiels spectacular vision of the valley of the dry bones coming alive offers great hope to all who feel that you are in a spiritually dry time in your life. Easley now with our bibles opened to ezekiel 37, i want to take us to a valley full of dry bones. Not without reason has ezekiel been dubbed the audiovisual aids prophet. The true spiritual regeneration of the nation romans 11. God transported ezekielprobably not literally, but in a visionto a valley full of dry bones and directed him to speak to the bones.
Oct 09, 2004 ezekiel is telling god that god is in charge in control. A commentary on the book of ezekiel southside christian. If god wants these dead, dry bones to live, theyll live. Ezekiels task of preaching to dry bones seemed to be as useless as that. Ezekiel 37 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. Ezekiel 37 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. And of course im talking about the vision god gave. Ezekiel had been in captivity for at least ten years when god gave to him this vision. As if to make sure that ezekiel felt the full impact of the vision, jehovah ordered the prophet to pass all around those widely scattered bones. This vision took place while israel was in babylonian captivity so sometime between 586 b.
In the passage, the prophet is carried away by the spirit of god to the valley of dry bones. The one in the 37th chapter speaks directly to the desperate plight of israel down through the ages. Its intriguing description of the valley of dry bones was the subject of a popular song, dry bones, during the mid1950s. The book is fascinating, replete with visions, allegories, and action parables. Jan 02, 2020 god transported ezekielprobably not literally, but in a visionto a valley full of dry bones and directed him to speak to the bones. Verses 114 matthew henrys commentary bible gateway.
Ezekiel makes the statement, in verse two, there were vary many in the open valley. Ezekiel was in training to be a priest at the temple in jerusalem when he was taken captive in 597 bc. Oct 19, 2011 however, both this short film and the dry bones song share the same inspiration. Ezekiel chapters 36 37 the restoration of the land. Surely i will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. Dr tony evans dry bones dancing tony evans sermons duration. If you have your bible, please would you open it at ezekiel, chapter 37, a famous passage, the valley of dry bones. Ezekiel begins this chapter with the vision of the dry bones.
Yet if he was confident that he spoke the word of the lord, he knew gods word had supernatural power. The vividness of its imagery, the wonder of its unfolding narrative, and visceral appeal of its symbolism endow it with a sort of plugandplay appealeven an. But, this ancient text opens up a window, an angle, a perspective, a vision. The first part of this drybones prophesy ezekiel 37. The dry bones are a picture of the jews in captivity scattered and dead. Dry bones and the resurrection of the dead ezekiel 37. Over the prophets shoulder we see a somber valley of dry human bones and listen as the prophet is told to prophecy over these bones. The prophet is not just credible but sufficiently audible. Ezekiel was shown that he had a personal responsibility to that valley of dead, dry bones. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then ezekiel must be regarded as artfully verbose.
Ezekiel begins this visionary section by making reference to. Ezekiel continued to have visions throughout his prophetic ministry. After exploring ezekiels vision of dry bones, adults will envision how god can bring new life in desolate times. The prophecy about the reviving of the dry bonesezekiel 37. Oct 08, 2010 ezekiel continued to have visions throughout his prophetic ministry. Daniel was taken captive in the first captivity during jehoiakims reign, about eight years before ezekiel was taken captive. Ezekiel 37 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary. The means used for the bringing of these dispersed bones together and these dead and dry bones to life. Their restoration is represented by a vision of dry bones made alive. Ezekiel was twentyfive years of age when he, his family, and his nation were carried off as a captives of war, to the country of babylon, 900 miles away. But the fact that this was a vision doesnt discount the value of ezekiel s decision. It was a dark, depressing and difficult time for all of israel. Ezekiel is ordered to prophesy upon these bones ezekiel 37.
The valley of dry bones is almost certainly the most beloved and well known of ezekiel s visions. We have heard of a romanist who had, as a penance from his priest, to go and water a dry stick. Yahweh brought ezekiel out in his spirit to a valley of dry bones 37. From exegetical perspective by stephen breck reid the.
The dry bones come together in two stages first the flesh and then after ezekiel obeys and preaches the 2nd part of gods message, the breath comes. Ezekiel could only preach this message full of faith in god. Ezekiel 37 is a famous passage that records ezekiels vision of the valley of dry bones. The valley of dry bones is almost certainly the most beloved and well known of ezekiels visions. I want you to see this because the same responsibility that rested on ezekiels shoulders then rests on our today. They represent the peoples spiritually dead condition. As we look out at the church in some parts of the world, especially in the uk and europe, it appears to be like the vision which ezekiel saw of the valley of dry bones ezekiel 37. Such, i imagine, is the case with ezekiel 37, the famous dry bones passage. First of all, he brought judgement to them, but at the end of all the judgements that he pronounces upon the people of god, and then upon the gentile nations round about them. Feb 23, 2006 dry bones anyone can do it the reverend mr. Ezekiel invites investigation not only because of what he said, but also because of how he said it. What is the meaning of the valley of dry bones in ezekiel 37. God tells ezekiel to prophesy to the bones until they come together and reform into bodies.
What is foolish in the sight of reason is wisdom in the judgment of faith. He made ezekiel walk around and look at all the bones. Ezekiels vision of the valley of dry bones is not really a story about the resurrection of the dead. The valley of dry bones walking thru the bible ezekiel. A series of studies in the old testament book of ezekiel. What is the significance of breaking this reanimation of. It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in ezekiels prophecy. What is the meaning of the valley of dry bones in ezekiel. First of all, he brought judgement to them, but at the end of all the judgements that he pronounces upon the people of.
Then he said to me, prophesy to these bones, and say to them, dry bones, hear the word of the. Welcome to bsm, your online bible study supplement source. The dry bones in ezekiels vision are the people of god. The extraordinarily graphic character of the vision has attracted and inspired countless artists through the ages, including the painters of the ancient synagogue of duraeuropos in babylon.
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