The prophetic vision of Ezekiel 37:7 is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, filled with symbolism and profound meaning. As the prophet Ezekiel stands in the valley filled with dry bones, he is instructed by God to prophesy to these bones, saying, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 37:5-6).
In response to Ezekiel’s obedience to the divine command, there is a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones begin to come together, bone to bone. Tendons and flesh appear, and skin covers them, but they are still lifeless, devoid of breath (Ezekiel 37:7-8). This vision is not just about physical resurrection but about spiritual revival and the restoration of Israel. The dry bones represent the hopelessness and disarray of the people of Israel after the Babylonian exile, devoid of spiritual vitality.
The act of prophesying to the bones and the subsequent reassembly underlines God’s power to restore and revive His people. The stages of the bones coming to life symbolize different aspects of restoration: 1. The Dry Bones Coming Together: This represents the initial stages of restoration, where God’s people, once scattered and disconnected, begin to reunite and reorganize. 2. The Tendons and Flesh Appearing: This symbolizes the structural and functional restoration, where the framework of community and society is rebuilt. 3. The Skin Covering Them: This represents the outer covering or the visible manifestation of their restoration, making them whole in appearance. 4. The Breath Entering Them: This final step signifies the spiritual awakening, where the breath (or spirit) of God brings them to life, enabling them to serve Him and fulfill their purpose.
Ezekiel’s vision teaches several profound lessons: - God’s Sovereignty: It showcases God’s absolute control over life and death, revival and restoration. - Spiritual Revival: It emphasizes the need for spiritual renewal beyond physical or political restoration. - Hope and Restoration: It offers a message of hope to those in despair, illustrating that God can restore even the most hopeless of situations.
The passage also contains elements that are interpreted by Christians as pointing towards the resurrection of the dead and the ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ, underscoring the universal theme of God’s power to bring life out of death and despair.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 37:7 marks a significant moment in Ezekiel’s vision where the bones, representing the house of Israel, start to come together, signaling the beginning of God’s restoration plan for His people. This vision, filled with dramatic imagery and profound symbolism, continues to inspire hope and awe in believers, reminding them of God’s ability to restore and revive, both physically and spiritually.
