May 2, 2023

Ezekiel was a prophet during the destructive and tragic campaigns that Nebuchadnezzar waged against Jerusalem… starting around 605 BC, as Yahweh’s hammer to destroy the rebellious thinking of His beloved people… it included the destruction of the Holy Temple around 586 BC, and even after they witnessed the destruction and carrying away of the Northern Kingdom (10 tribes) by Assyria some 150 years earlier, they still did not repent… Ezekiel likely looked at the disaster of Israel as a very dark experience… it was during this time that Yahweh revealed, through Ezekiel’s prophecies, a future Israel that He would raise up in the last days. Verse 21 above speaks to that future event. Ezekiel’s vision of the “valley of the dry bones,” in Chapter 37 is of interest to this discussion...

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; and 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.” eze 37:1-3 nkjv

When I was a young man, working in Ottawa, IL, some older fellow brethren of our church took me to hear a preacher speak after a fellowship dinner… that was about 55 years ago. The message was on “the valley of the dry bones.” I knew very little about the Prophecies of the Bible back then… However, I felt very strongly in my spirit that this message would somehow show up again in my life.

During that time, a few months later, I was working in my office when the news came over the radio that Israel was in a six-day war, that news weighed heavily upon my interest… and to my amazement, their capture of Jerusalem was very inspiring. I would learn to understand more about that later.

As I grew older, in Biblical knowledge and age, the significance of both the “valley of dry bones” message, and the prophecies of verse 21 above, resolved more fully into focus. This past week’s 75th anniversary of Israel’s “re-birthed nation,” is [to me] a profound mile marker in world history and end times events. When Yahweh asked Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?” He most likely had today’s events in mind.

Further down in Chapter 37 [verses 15-28] we come to the “two sticks” part of the restoration of the “whole house of Israel,” that are mentioned in the dry bones verses, namely verses 11- 14. I think these are “real time” events happening in our times. Soon, I think, Yahweh will do exactly ALL of what He spoke to Ezekiel… And as believers there are two things I wish to leave with you for this devotional as encouragement and responsibility.

For encouragement, know for certain that this Chapter 37 event is now in process and will have wonderful consequences for all believers who trust Yahweh for His “I will,” comments. For our responsibility, we are to pray for Israel, for peace in Jerusalem [actually, current Israel is in great peril from a natural perspective, but God]:

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. 7 Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.” 8 For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you. 9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.” ps 122:6-9 nkjv

From my life’s many spiritual experiences, this story I have shared with you, is one of the most “see there” kind of points that I think Yahweh has worked into my believer’s walk… there are many, but this one has gone on for 55 years. And which I continue to watch unfold… How about you, are you living “the front row seat” perspective in these days? Let me know how you have had similar experiences. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Shalom, John