Ezekiel 37:6

“And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.”

Context:The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. The prophet Ezekiel was called by God to proclaim His messages to the exiled Israelites in Babylon. In Ezekiel 37, God gives Ezekiel a vision of the valley of dry bones, symbolizing the spiritual condition of the people of Israel.

Symbolism of the vision:The vision of the valley of dry bones represents the spiritual desolation and hopelessness of the people of Israel in exile. The bones are dry and lifeless, signifying their spiritual deadness and separation from God.

Divine intervention:In verse 6, God promises to bring restoration and life to the dry bones. This verse highlights several actions that God will take to revive the people of Israel:

• a. Laying sinews, bringing flesh, and covering with skin: These actions represent the physical reconstruction of the dead bones. They symbolize the restoration of the nation of Israel from its desolate state. God is promising to rebuild and revive His people.
• b. Putting breath in them: This action signifies the infusion of the Spirit of God into the reconstituted bodies. It represents the spiritual revival and renewal that God will bring to the people. It is not just a physical restoration but also a revival of their relationship with God.

Recognition of God’s sovereignty:The verse concludes by stating that the people of Israel will know that the LORD is God. This is a key aspect of the prophecy. The restoration and revival of Israel will serve as a powerful testimony to God’s power and faithfulness. It will be a clear demonstration of His sovereignty and authority over His people.

Application to believers today:While this vision was originally given to the exiled Israelites, there are spiritual lessons that can be applied to believers today. It reminds us that no matter how dire our circumstances may be, God has the power to restore, revive, and renew us.

• a. Physical and emotional dryness: We may experience seasons of dryness or hopelessness in our lives, where we feel spiritually depleted or disconnected from God. This verse reminds us that God can breathe new life into our dry bones and bring about restoration.
• b. The power of God’s Spirit: Just as God put His breath in the bones, God’s Spirit empowers and revitalizes us spiritually. Through the Holy Spirit, we can experience a renewed relationship with God and be transformed from within.
• c. Testimony of God’s faithfulness: When God revives and restores us, it becomes a testimony to His power and faithfulness. Our transformed lives can be a witness to others, pointing them to the reality of God and His ability to bring life to the dead.

In conclusion, Ezekiel 37:6 illustrates God’s promise to restore and revive the dry bones, symbolizing the desolate state of the people of Israel. It serves as a reminder of God’s power to bring new life and spiritual revival. As believers, we can find hope in this promise, knowing that God can breathe life into our dryness and bring about restoration in our lives.