Dry Bones Bring Hope and Life

O. T. #1930  "Dry Bones Bring Hope and Life"

April 28, 2021

Ezekiel 37-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Today's Psalm 51 was written by David when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had been with Bathsheba. David's sin of adultery and conspiracy of murder was brought to light. Like David, when confronted, we should be sorrowful over our sins:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. (verse 1)

Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (verse 2)

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.  (verse 3)

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (verse 7)

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice. (verse 8)

What dirt is to the body, sin is to the inner person, so it was right for David to feel defiled because of what he had done. David had crossed over the line God had drawn in His law; he had missed the mark God had set for him and had yielded to his twisted sinful nature. Hyssop was a shrub with hairy stems that could be dipped into liquid, and the priests used it to sprinkle blood or water on people needing ceremonial cleansing. Today's believers find their cleansing in the work Jesus accomplished on the cross (1 John 1:5-10). (Wiersbe)

David needed a new start (2 Sam. 12:20). He desired joy and gladness once again. The Lord forgave David, but permitted him to suffer the tragic consequences of his sins (2Sam. 12:13-14).

If you or a loved one is living a sinful lifestyle. Good news is that Jesus is merciful and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we ask Him to do so. 

LET IT GROW

Israel and Judea were going to be reborn and reunited after their 70 years under Babylon's rule. Their land would be cleansed, too.

We pick up our story as Ezekiel walks through the valley of dry bones (those who were killed by the Babylonian army). God asked the prophet, "Can these bones live?" Ezekiel answered, "O Lord God, Thou knowest." We realize that nothing is impossible with our God. (Luke 1:37)

In the Hebrew, bones refers to a bone (as strong); selfsame: body, bone;,life; strength.

Bones provide support for our body, allow us to move, and protect our vital organs. Within our bones, the marrow contains red and white blood cells, platelets needed in the body. Bones store important minerals, calcium and phosphorus, releasing them as needed. Also, bones store fats to provide energy if required. So this shows us how important healthy bones are to our body. If our bones are not strong or the marrow is not normal, then we have health issues.

God told Ezekiel to speak to those dry bones, O ye dry bones, hear the Word of the LORD:

• God said He would cause breath to enter the bones and they would live. (verse 5)
• He would lay sinews (tendons) on them, covering the bones with flesh and skin, and put breath (life, spirit, wind) in them. (verse 6,8)
• Then God did it, reviving those bones-first bone to bone, then sinews, flesh, skin, and finally breath.
• With God's breath in those dry bones, they lived, and stood up on their feet, making an exceeding army. What a physical resurrection! What a sight to see and experience for Ezekiel-clanging of bones, skin and sinews covering them, the noise of first breaths all around him. Wow!
• God said that those bones were Israel; Israel had said their bones were dry and they lost hope, separated from their home. Was Israel finished? Was all hope gone for God's chosen people?
• God was going to open their graves of exile and cause Israel to rise again. They would return to their land. When that happened, Israel know God is the LORD. He would put His Spirit in them, they would live again, return home.
• What God spoke, He did. We know the rest of the story. After 70 years, three groups of Jews returned to the land of Jerusalem.

What an illustration of the future national life of Israel. Ezekiel had some encouraging words to tell the Jewish remnant.

Dear believer, do you need some hope today? Jesus is the resurrection and life for our soul. He alone can give us new life and hope. Just think, heaven is waiting on us, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no evil. If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, friend, heave is awaiting for you. 

If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, you can right now. Ask Him to forgive your sins, come into your heart.  (Believe with your heart that Jesus is the Son of God who died in your place so you don't have to pay for your sins.) Admit you are  a sinner, believe Jesus died in your place, confess those sins. He loves you so much that Jesus left heaven to die for you. 

LET IT GO

Truly, all things are possible with You, God.

Jesus, keep us focused on You today.

Breath Your Spirit into us, leading us in Kingdom work.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.