Can These Bones Live?

Ezekiel 37:1-14 - A Story of Hope and Restoration! 

Transcript

Welcome to "Healing Waters," the podcast where you are listening to "Stories of Faith," where God's Words meet modern hearts. I'm your host, LaDonna Sanders – thank you for joining me on this journey of inspiration and hope. 

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"The Valley of Dry Bones - A Story of Hope and Restoration"

 Today, we're diving into one of the most striking visions in the Bible—Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones, found in Ezekiel 37.  This story isn't just about ancient Israel; it's about hope, restoration, and the miraculous power of faith and obedience.

 Imagine standing in a vast, lifeless valley—bones scattered across the ground, bleached by the sun, lifeless and silent. That's where the prophet Ezekiel found himself. Led by the hand of God, Ezekiel stood in devastation and was asked a question that resonates through time:

Let's read 

Ezekiel 37:1-3 - The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley. It was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley, and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

"Son of man, can these bones live?"

Ezekiel's response? A humble acknowledgment of his limitations: "O Lord God, You know."

This wasn't necessarily a moment of doubt but a moment of surrender. A recognition that where human understanding stops, divine wisdom begins.

Let's read: 

Ezekiel 37:4-6-4 Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord."

God then gives Ezekiel a command. Not to question, not to analyze—but to speak. To prophesy.

 "O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!"

Can you picture it? A lone voice echoing across that lifeless valley. A bold declaration against all logic and reason. And then… something happens.

Let's read: 

Ezekiel 37: 7-8 - So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over, but there was no breath in them.

 A noise. A rattling. Bones begin to move, to join together, forming skeletons. Then, sinews, flesh, and skin cover them. But still—they are lifeless.

Let's see what happens next in scripture:  

Ezekiel 37:9-10 - Also, He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the [a]breath, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and [b]breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

HOST: God commands Ezekiel again: "Prophesy to the breath… Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."

Let's find out how this story of faith ends:   

Ezekiel 37: 11-14 - Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it," says the Lord.' 

HOST: And so he does. And breath enters them. They stand up—an exceedingly great army.

HOST: This vision wasn't just about dry bones coming to life—it was about restoring hope to a nation that had given up. They said, "Our bones are dry; our hope is lost." But God had other plans.

Here are five takeaways I would like you to consider regarding this story:  

1. We must honestly assess our situation—and acknowledge the bones in our valley.

  Sometimes, not all the time, we peer into a valley of dry bones because we have sinned. The Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37 resulted from the Babylonian Exile of the Israelites in 597 BC, which God allowed because of the widespread sin and disobedience among the Israelites. They were living idolatrous and immoral lives. God wanted them to acknowledge and reflect on their sins and return to  Him. 

2. Victory hinges on obedience—on speaking God's words, even when they don't make sense.

 The miracle in the valley of dry bones started in verse 7 – Ezekiel says, "So, I prophesied as I was commanded."

3. We must speak God's Word over our situations—nothing more, nothing less

 In Jeremiah 1:12 -, the Lord tells Jeremiah, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word." – God is committed to fulfilling his promises. 

4. Faith is not passive; it requires action. Speak life where there is Death.   Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (NKJV) 

5. "Prayer is the key, Faith is the vehicle, and Patience is the Road that leads to God's manifested glory." ---- In this interaction between Ezekiel and God, we see that restoration sometimes comes in stages.

 In your own life, maybe you're looking at a valley of dry bones—a dead dream, a broken relationship, or a hopeless situation. But the same God who breathed life into that valley is still speaking today. 

My friends, find out what God has to say about your situation. 

2 Corinthians 1:20 says, "For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us."

 So today, ask yourself: Can these bones live? And if you find yourself uncertain, remember Ezekiel's words: "O Lord God, You know."

Luke 18:1 – And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. 

Luke 18:27  says, But He said, "Things which are impossible with men are possible with God." 

 Let’s Pray: 

Lord, we bless You today and give glory for Your goodness and mercy toward us. You are Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. You, Lord, are our hope, our peace, and the One who reigns over our affairs. Let Your purpose prevail in our lives, O God, for Your glory! You, Lord, have the final say in our lives. We were created for a great purpose in You, and because we have not always followed or sought Your guidance, we ask for Your forgiveness, healing, and restoration today. You promised never to leave or forsake us. Therefore, we repent for placing other things and people before You; cleanse us from everything that draws us away from You and Your best for us. Restore us, Lord. Release Your healing virtue into our lives today! Your Word says You look for one who would cry, "Restore, restore, Lord!" Breathe on us and revive all that You have planted in us for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

Thank you for listening to "Stories of Faith" on " The Healing Waters Podcast." If today's message spoke to you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that even the driest valleys can come alive again. Until next time—keep speaking life, keep walking in faith, and remember—hope is never truly lost in Jesus! 

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