Topical Bible: Vision of Ezekiel of the Dry Bones

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Biblical Reference:
The Vision of the Dry Bones is found in the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 37, verses 1-14. This passage is a significant prophetic vision given to the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile, a time of great despair and hopelessness for the Israelites.

Context and Background:
Ezekiel was a prophet to the Israelites during their captivity in Babylon, a period marked by the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, leading to a crisis of faith and identity among the Jewish people. The vision of the dry bones occurs in this context of desolation and serves as a message of hope and restoration.

The Vision:
In Ezekiel 37:1-14, the prophet is transported by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with dry bones. The LORD asks Ezekiel, "Son of man, can these bones live?" to which Ezekiel responds, "O Lord GOD, You alone know" (Ezekiel 37:3). God then commands Ezekiel to prophesy over the bones, declaring that He will cause breath to enter them so they may come to life.

As Ezekiel prophesies, there is a rattling sound, and the bones come together, bone to bone. Tendons and flesh appear on them, and skin covers them, but there is no breath in them. God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath, saying, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live!" (Ezekiel 37:9). The breath enters the bones, and they come to life, standing on their feet as a vast army.

Interpretation and Significance:
The vision is a powerful metaphor for the restoration of Israel. The dry bones symbolize the house of Israel, which says, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off" (Ezekiel 37:11). The LORD promises to open their graves and bring them back to the land of Israel, filling them with His Spirit so they may live.

This vision is not only a promise of physical restoration to the land but also a spiritual revival. It signifies God's power to bring life from death and hope from despair. The breath entering the bones represents the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the necessity of spiritual renewal for true restoration.

Theological Themes:
1. Resurrection and Renewal: The vision foreshadows the resurrection theme found throughout Scripture, highlighting God's ability to bring life from death. It points to the ultimate hope of resurrection for believers through Jesus Christ.

2. Divine Sovereignty and Power: The vision underscores God's sovereignty and power over life and death. It reassures the faithful that no situation is beyond God's ability to redeem and restore.

3. Hope and Restoration: The prophecy offers hope to the exiled Israelites, affirming that God has not abandoned His covenant people. It assures them of a future restoration and return to their homeland.

4. Spiritual Revival: The emphasis on the Spirit's role in bringing life to the bones highlights the necessity of spiritual revival. It serves as a reminder that true life and restoration come through the Spirit of God.

Historical and Prophetic Fulfillment:
Historically, the vision was partially fulfilled when the Israelites returned from Babylonian exile and rebuilt Jerusalem and the temple. Prophetically, it points to the ultimate restoration of Israel and the eschatological hope of resurrection and eternal life for all believers.

Conclusion:
The Vision of the Dry Bones remains a profound testament to God's redemptive power and faithfulness. It continues to inspire believers with the assurance that God can bring life and hope to the most desolate situations, both individually and corporately.

Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the LORD was on me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the middle of the valley which was full of bones,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Ezekiel's vision of the Dry Bones Quoted.
... Chapter XXIX."Ezekiel's Vision of the Dry Bones Quoted. Inasmuch, then,
as even the figurative portions of Scripture, and the ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxix ezekiels vision of the.htm

The Dry Bones and the Spirit of Life
... II. We may extend the application of the vision to the ... remember that no such meaning
was in Ezekiel's thoughts ... The valley full of dry bones is but too correct a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the dry bones and the.htm

This vision Interpreted by Tertullian of the Resurrection of the ...
... in a certain sense dead, and very dry, and dispersed ... there is nothing of the sort
here revealed to Ezekiel. ... Now, if this vision had reference to the condition ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxx this vision interpreted by.htm

The Holy Spirit and the one Church
... It is to him a mystery. You remember the story of the valley of vision. Ezekiel
saw dry bones lying scattered here and there in the valley. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the holy spirit and the.htm

Ezekiel and Daniel.
... (2) The duties and responsibilities of a preacher as illustrated by Ezekiel's
watchman, Ch.33. (3) The vision of dry bones. Ch 37. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xvii ezekiel and daniel.htm

Ezekiel
... valley of dry bones"the fearful solitude and the mysterious resurrection (xxxvii.).
Ezekiel's imaginative power perhaps reaches its climax in his vision of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezekiel.htm

On the Resurrection of the Flesh
... Chapter XXIX.--Ezekiel's Vision of the Dry Bones Quoted. Chapter XXX.--This Vision
Interpreted by Tertullian of the Resurrection of the Bodies of the Dead. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on the resurrection of the flesh/

Spiritual Power.
... life; for our own experience is too often very like the vision of Ezekiel. ... is in
continual danger of being like the prophet's valley of dry bones, which lay ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xviii spiritual power.htm

Come from the Four Winds, O Breath!
... Assuredly, Ezekiel's vision pictures what will happen in the day when "the trumpet
shall sound, and the dead shall be raised." No matter how dry the bones may ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/come from the four winds.htm

'First to Mary'
... The deliverance is more than sufficient for the worst. 'God is able of these stones
to raise up children to Abraham.'. Ezekiel's vision of dry bones. III. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/first to mary.htm