Don't preach my funeral
I. The Valley of Hurtings
In the valley, Ezekiel observes some things about this divided kingdom.
A. The Deplorable condition of the valley (Vs. 1-2) He has set down in the midst of the valley. He wasn’t a bystander. He wasn’t on the outside looking in. God Set him in the middle of the valley. God has a way of putting you in the middle of a situation just so you can’t say, “I don’t know what that’s like cause I’ve never been there.” Or, “I did not see it so I don’t feel obligated to do anything about it. It’s kind of hard to turn your back on someone hurting when every time you turn your back, you are facing another hurt person who is just as broken, just as scattered, just as sick. What are you going to do now; it was God who put you here in the first place.
I believe God was trying to sensitize Ezekiel to those who represented the chosen nation of God but where now in a valley of hurt. But he notices also:
B. The Dispirited Condition of the valley (vs. 2) In this open valley, the remains of a nation where left as a forensic sign of the defeat. They where scattered and covering the valley floor. They were not skeletons that lay as honorable graves, but rather signs of ravenous destruction in each and every one of their lives. There is power in anything that walks together but a sure sign of defeat even with these bones is that they are separated. Notice some application. Just like a bone cannot support the whole body alone, so also you cannot make it in the body of Christ alone.
C. The Dry Condition of the Valley - The Bones of a man have always had significant meaning to the Jews. It is the basic, most durable part of the human body. It describes the deepest feeling, affections, and affiliations. Flesh is also used as a parallel. The bones in the valley were many, scattered and dry. They had been exposed to the elements of death. When you are dead, you lose all moisture and become dry, helpless, and hopeless.
D. The Defenseless Condition of the Valley. Bone are an integral part of the strength of the man. Bones are an integral part of the stability of man. Bones are integral part of the structure of man.
1. The human skeleton is made of individual or joined bones, supported and supplements by a structure of ligaments, tendons, muscles, cartilage, and other organs.
a. The adult human has 206 bones, (baby has 270)
b. The Largest bone is the femur.
c. The smallest bone is located in the middle ear.
2. The skeleton function as support for the body.
3. Bones manufacture of blood cells take place in bone marrow.
4. It is also for protection of vital organs.
5. It is necessary for muscle movements.
6. It is a storage deposit for nutrients to be stored and retrieved.
II. The Voice of Healing
Seeing the deplorable, dispirited, dry, defenseless condition of the valley God asks a question. Can these bones live. They don’t have any strength. They don’t have any stability. Can they live? (vs 3)
A. The asking came from God. God sees a situation different than men. He always has. God looks on a space that is void and dark and shapeless and the back of his mind he says that is going to be good.
1. God looks at the stuttering Moses and says he will be a deliverer.
2. He looks at the drunkard Noah and says he will be a deliver.
3. He looks at the adulterous David and says he will be a deliverer.
4. He looks at a cowardous Elijah and he will be a deliverer.
5. He looks at a prejudice Jonah and says he will be a deliverer.
6. He looks at a cussin, fussin, fighting Peter and says he will be a deliverer. He looks at a murderous Paul and says he will be deliverer.
God sees things different from man. My ways are not your ways…
B. The answer comes from Man (vs. 3)
When we are asked by God we ought not dare place God in a box of limitation. God can do anything. The question is will we move to let Him do what He will do.
C. The Awe comes from His Word. (vs. 4)
God promises power through the release of his revelation in the lives of men. When your heart and your mind is bridled by the who of God and will of God, change takes place. Your appetite changes. Your appreciation changes. Your anticipation changes. You change. What happens in you move in response to the voice of God, and God moves in rescue toward your condition.
When God makes a move in your life, He won’t leave you like you started. You can’t remain helpless and hurting, God gives you health.