Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD was on me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD… I. SUCH A REVIVAL OFTEN SEEMS UTTERLY HOPELESS. The condition of a nation in some of its eras of misfortune; the condition of the human race in their graves; the condition of men who have lapsed into low spiritual life; — are all conditions whose striking emblem would be a valley full of dry bones. There seems nothing to promise better things. There is no effort, no struggle upwards. Hope is lost. II. SUCH A REVIVAL IS DEEPLY INTERESTING TO GOOD MEN. By a dialogue Ezekiel is interested in the present condition, the possible future, of these "bones," is taught his own weakness, and has revealed to him the source of strength and the methods of renewal. So always some Divine influence comes to interest good men in the recovery to higher life of those with whom He has to do. By His Spirit too, and by the, discipline of life, and by the Scriptures, God, as in a dialogue with such a man's soul, teaches him all he needs to know about such a renewal as He sees is deeply needed. III. SUCH A REVIVAL IS PARTLY WROUGHT BY CREATURE AGENCY. For political regeneration there are appointed heroes of the State; for the resurrection of the body there is appointed the angel with the trumpet, that shall sound when the dead are to be raised; for revival of the Church of God, earnest-souled men are appointed. IV. SUCH A REVIVAL IS GRADUAL IN ITS PROGRESS. There were several stages in the accomplishment of the revival in this valley of vision. So in every revival. First, "a noise." This is the least important of all, yet often seems to be a needful accompaniment, an indication of awakening life. Then "a shaking." This politically finds its fulfilment in revolution, and often in war. In spiritual things it finds its fulfilment in throes of spirit, sometimes the agonies of doubt. Then "the bones came together, bone to his bone." This surely points to right organisation and consolidation, whether of the nation or of the individual character. Then "the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them from above." Here is the accomplishing of all that can be accomplished of merely external order and beauty. But how poor are all! For "there was no breath in them." V. SUCH A REVIVAL REQUIRES GOD'S SPECIAL OPERATION. From the four winds the breath came, that is the symbol of the Divine Spirit. So only "righteousness exalts a nation," and without the Spirit of God there will not be righteousness: so the dead at the last day will be raised by God. VI. SUCH A REVIVAL PRODUCES SUBLIME RESULTS. Instead of a valley of dry bones, there is an army, living, united, loyal, mighty. So, by their true regeneration, nations rise from being abject, poor, immoral, to kingdoms of liberty, prosperity, virtue. So human characters shall be elevated: the man no longer "dead in sin," shall have a heart united to fear God, a nature that reveals the Divine in spiritual harmony, strength, and glory. (Urijah R. Thomas.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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, |
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