Ezekiel 37:20

And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.

Ezekiel 37:20 (KJV)

Context

The book of Ezekiel was written during the Babylonian exile, when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel was called by God to deliver messages of judgment, restoration, and hope to the exiled Israelites. In Ezekiel 37, the prophet receives the vision of the dry bones, where God brings him to a valley full of dry bones representing the condition of the people of Israel—spiritually dead and hopeless. Through this vision, God reveals His plan to restore the nation, instructing Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, declaring that He will breathe life into them and bring them back to their land.

Meaning

In verse 15, God instructs Ezekiel to take two sticks and write on them the names of Judah and the children of Israel, representing the divided kingdom. In verse 16, He tells Ezekiel to join the sticks together as one in his hand. This symbolic action represents the reunification of the divided kingdom and the restoration of the whole nation. In verse 20, God says the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. This is a tangible, visual demonstration of God’s promise to reunify Israel and fulfill His word. The action is performed publicly, making the message clear and undeniable to the onlookers. The sticks being in Ezekiel’s hand also symbolize that the fulfillment of this promise is under God’s sovereign control.

Biblical connections

The immediate context (Ezekiel 37:15-28) explains that God will gather the Israelites from among the nations, bring them back to their own land, and make them one nation, with one king (David) ruling over them. This unity is not merely political but also spiritual, as God promises to cleanse them, give them a new heart and spirit, and make an everlasting covenant of peace with them. The vision of the dry bones in the same chapter symbolizes the spiritual restoration and revival of the people of Israel.

Application

The passage carries both historical and spiritual significance. Historically, it foreshadows the return of the Israelites from exile. Spiritually, it points to God’s power to bring life out of death, to restore His people, and to keep His promises. While the primary focus is the restoration of Israel, believers can draw important lessons. The passage reminds us of God’s faithfulness and His ability to bring revival even in the midst of despair. It encourages trust in God’s promises and reliance on His power to transform dead situations into vibrant, thriving ones.

Reflection

Ezekiel 37:20 reveals God’s promise of restoration and reunification of the nation of Israel. The sticks held before the people’s eyes symbolize the reunification, serving as a visible sign of God’s faithfulness and power to fulfill His promises. This enacted prophecy underscores the importance of visible, enacted prophecy as a means of communicating God’s purposes, and it highlights the theme of restoration and reconciliation, showing that God is able to overcome the deep divisions caused by sin and exile.