Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Lent 5 -- "Preaching to Dead Bones"

Being a Christian is never dull. In our personal lives we can experience tragedy, grief, and set-backs. Our personal spiritual life often languishes because of hopelessly busy or complex life-styles. In our congregation, we may at times feel worship is boring or lifeless. How may we be renewed and invigorated? How may we find hope? Today’s Old Testament Reading proclaims that God has breathed his Spirit into us through the Word, giving us hope and new life.

Being a Christian is often dull, or worse, a drudgery. In our personal lives we can experience tragedy, grief, and set-backs. Our personal spiritual life often languishes because of hopelessly busy or complex life-styles. In our congregation, we may at times feel worship is boring or lifeless. How may we be renewed and invigorated? How may we find hope? Pentecost proclaims that God has breathed his Spirit into us through the Word, giving us hope and new life.

We have a problem, however. We tend to look for hope in places where God has not promised we will find it. We, like the Israelites in Babylon, look at our wretched situation and long for a better life. We long to be at home with the Lord—back in Jerusalem. Yet we often look to ourselves—our intellect, ingenuity, or our emotions—for a sense of vibrancy. On a congregational level, we often look to programs or quick-fix strategies to lift us out of our perceived funk. The Gospel may appear too weak to accomplish what we need. Yet these substitutes to which we often look will only disappoint us. We end up adopting the complaint of the Israelites in verse 11, “Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost.”

Dry Bones Resurrected

Introduction: Pentecost reminds us of God’s commitment to bring life into lives killed by sin. The celebration calls attention to God’s Word not only as a source of hope, but also as the means to bring hope in life’s struggles.

It is to God’s Word that we must look for life and hope. As Ezekiel did and said only what he was commanded, so must we. The Word is able to accomplish the miracle of giving life to dead, dry bones.

Sermon Theme: The Spirit of God breathes life into dead, dry bones.

Consider Ezekiel’s Day.

Text:

Rebellious Israel chose its own way and abandoned God. The nation was mauled by Babylon. Many people were taken captive. Now they languished in a strange land. Hopeless despair was their life.

Psalm 137:3–4 NKJV

3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song In a foreign land?

Ezekiel was taken to a “killing field” of dried bones. What can be done in such utter hopelessness? Only God knows (v 3).

B. Ezekiel was taken to a “killing field” of dried bones. What can be done in such utter hopelessness? Only God knows (v 3).

Other Lessons: ; ; (46–53)

(1) There is always hope in God’s grace. The Creator, by his Word, made the world; therefore he can bring life and hope to death and despair. The Word joins the bones together in anticipation of life.

There is always hope in God’s grace. The Creator, by his Word, made the world; therefore he can bring life and hope to death and despair. Whether we are plagued with COVID-19, or have been laid-off from our jobs due to this pandemic, the Word of God is our solace that joins bones together in anticipation of life.

Goal: That Christ’s people, through his death and resurrection, see the hope that comes from the triune God in even the worst situations and circumstances.

The breath, that is the Spirit of God, brings them back to life.

(2) The breath and Spirit of God brings them back to life.

Rev. Scott C. Klemsz, director of public relations and publications, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Liturgical Setting

Illustration: In My Fair Lady, Eliza Doolittle must change her speech patterns if she wishes to elevate herself in society. Professor Higgins places a flame in front of her mouth and tells her to say, “Hartford, Hereford, and Hampshire, hurricanes hardly ever happen.” Lower-class Londoners would drop their h’s and the flame would not flicker. Upper-class people pronounced their h’s with gusts of breath, blowing out the flame. Only by using correct words and diction could the guttersnipe girl become a sophisticated, elegant lady.

Likewise, only the breath of God can raise dead bones into living children of God.

Lent arrives and the Church is sent on a forty-day journey. Like many journeys, this is one on which we don’t necessarily want to go. Like the disciples who fear to take the journey to Jerusalem at word of Lazarus’s illness (Gospel), we balk at the Lenten journey because we know it does lead inevitably to death. This week, in particular, death looks us squarely in the eye. Lazarus does die, and the intent to destroy Jesus is now firm (). Facing such a prospect also for ourselves, we, with Mary and Martha and their mourners, cry to the Lord from “out of the depths” (Psalm).

The Field of Bones.

But more clearly yet in the Propers for this day is hope beyond death. The Introit proclaims that the death of the Lord’s saints is precious in his sight. This is not because the Lord is sadistic, taking joy in the suffering of his creation. Rather, the death of his saints is precious because Christ died in order to deliver from death. Lazarus is raised from death, and “he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies” (Epistle, v 11). This is the liturgical setting in which we hear the Old Testament Reading from Ezekiel, that even dead bones have the promise of resurrection.

Is this picture so strange? On television we’ve seen the killing fields of Cambodia and a field of bones protruding from the ground in Bosnia. Death is the end of the road of unresolved despair. David knew this ache in the bones (), and we remember Jesus’ words on the cross from . Jesus experienced and carried on the cross the world’s despair and death for us.

Psalm 22:14 NKJV

14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me.

Psalm 22:1 NKJV

1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?

Psalm 22:14 NASB95

14 I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It is melted within me.

Death is real, but the life-giving Word is more so. Jesus’ word commanded Lazarus to come out from the tomb. God raised Jesus for our justification. Easter is not over, for we need each day what Easter proclaims: because he lives, so shall we.

B. Death is real, but the life-giving Word is more so. Jesus’ word commanded Lazarus to come out from the tomb. God raised Jesus for our justification. Easter is not over, for we need each day what Easter proclaims: because he lives, so shall we.

Textual Notes

The Holy Spirit Desires to Breathe New Life into You.

Vv 1–2: “Valley” (or “plain”) is the same word with the intent of the same location in 3:22–23 and 8:4. Ezekiel saw his vision of the majesty of God and the desolation of the exiles with the bones bleached white. The vision of death had become a common sight as the Israelites had been in exile and many had died.

Although not dead, we were spiritually dead until faith was established by the Word and we became children of God through the promise offered in Holy Baptism. Though we still struggle and despair will always come knocking on our door — as we see these days with illness, job losses, etc. — yet Jesus has assured us:

V 3: “Can these bones live?” The obvious answer is that these dry bones can’t live. God is the one who asks this question, giving it a unique perspective. The product of God’s divine activity is declared. Ezekiel is guarded in his answer as he understands God’s ability, but lacked the faith to believe it.

John 16:33 NKJV

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

that results from our sinful life. Sin can lull us to death.

Revelation 3:1 NKJV

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Vv 4–5: “Prophesy over these bones” shows God’s hand in the raising of the bones. The artistry of this chapter is found in the Hebrew word ruach. This word is translated as “Spirit” in vv 1 and 14, as “breath” in vv 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, and as “winds” in v 9. There is a richer sense to the word than the translation can demonstrate. It is God who brings the breath of life into the bones, making them come alive.

So, we don’t rely on our strength, but God’s. Faith receives the dynamic power of life to overcome despair. “It is always faith alone that apprehends grace and forgiveness of sin. When through faith the Holy Spirit is given, the heart is moved to do good works” (, –29). Our hope is lifted up when we see God at work in us, enlivening us to do his will and to rejoice in His work. He brings into our life the fruit of faith: love, peace, joy, hope, etc.

B. We don’t rely on our strength, but God’s. Faith receives the dynamic power of life to overcome despair. “It is always faith alone that apprehends grace and forgiveness of sin. When through faith the Holy Spirit is given, the heart is moved to do good works” (, –29). Our hope is lifted up when we see God at work in us, enlivening us to do his will and to rejoice in his work. He brings into our life the fruit of faith: love, peace, joy, hope, etc.

V 6: The reconstruction of the bones comes together in two parts. First is the reconstruction of the physical parts of the body. Second is putting in the breath. It is easy to see how the process of man’s original creation was divided. The newly made man would know God.

Conclusion: The meaning and significance of Easter is clarified at Pentecost with the outpouring of the Spirit, who bestows new life, resurrection, and hope. The Spirit, the breath of God, is in us through the Word. That means that our lives are no longer characterized by lifelessness or despair—the old way of life has passed away and died. Behold, the new has come! We are baptized—we have life, we have hope. God has spoken the Word, and in the saying of it he has done it: “I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live . . . Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ” ().

Vv 7–8: The words are said and the creation of the physical man occurs, as it was prophesied. The external framework of man is finished, but it still lacks the breath of life.

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Ezekiel 37:14 NKJV

14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”

Prayer of the Church

Fifth Sunday in Lent

29 March 2020

We come, O Lord, with the dry bones of our broken hopes and disappointed dreams. Bind us up in Christ, that we may learn to pray with confidence, trusting in Your mercy to supply us with all things needful to us and to our salvation.

Brief silence

Almighty God, everlasting Father, You saw Israel in their despair and raised them up to hope by placing Your Spirit upon them. Join us together with the communion of saints in Christ, even though we must for a time stand apart. Raise us up from our weariness and grant us Your Spirit, that we may be strong in faith, bold in witness, holy in life and steadfast in hope. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O eternal Lord, Your Son has given us the new birth of water and the Word and planted faith in us, that we might be Your own children. Bless Your Church. Supply her with able, fearless and caring pastors to nurture us in Your Word. Raise up faithful fathers and those who will teach and pray in Your name in every Christian household. Keep Your Church in Your mercy, that she may believe without fear and love without limit even now. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God of power and might, You hold in Your hand all the might of man. Give to us good government and faithful leaders who will heed Your Word and pursue righteousness and justice. Bless and defend us against all destruction, especially from this deadly pandemic, and teach us to be patient and faithful citizens of this land, using ourselves and our resources wisely for the good of all. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O merciful Lord, Your Son shed tears for Lazarus, whom He loved. Grant Your compassion, patience and endurance to all who suffer illness, who are troubled in mind or whose time on earth is short. Spare us from death now, but give us courage and comfort far stronger by Your power over death. Eternal God, You carry the grief of those who mourn and remember all who die in Christ. Give comfort to the grieving and peace to the dying, and give that same comfort and peace to us who live in the shadow and fear of death, that we would neither live nor grieve as people without hope but trust in You at every hour. Hear all our prayers, especially on behalf of __________ and for all those we name in our hearts. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O gracious God, You daily and richly grant us all things we need for this body and life. Bless our labors, and grant us wisdom to use the fruits of those labors wisely and well, for the care of our families, for the poor in their needs, and for the support of Your work in this congregation. Preserve us from fear and greed as we live and work alone, and turn us instead in love toward our neighbors however distant. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O blessed Lord, Your Word continues to go forth and bear good fruit. Bless the missionaries planting churches near and far, bless those churches with whom we partner in the worldwide work of the Gospel, and bless the congregations now struggling to fulfill Your bidding and do what You have called them to do in Your name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, God Almighty, through Your Son You have kept the promise of the ages and rescued us from sin. You have raised up the dry bones of a people captive to death and made us alive in Christ forever. Sustain us in this hope, that we may endure the tests, trials and troubles of this life and be ready when our Savior comes again in His glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Vv 9–10: Wind and life come together from the four corners of the earth, breathing life into the bones and allowing them to live. The verb from the root napach is the very one used with God as the subject in the creation as seen in the creation of man in . A great army is seen and may indeed foreshadow the future destiny of Israel.

Vv 11–14: The bones represent both past kingdoms (“the whole house”): Israel and Judah, now in exile. Combined, these populations make up “an exceedingly great” population (v 10). The once great nation had been divided, broken, and dispersed. For the Israelites, the hope of restoration of their great nation was a lost dream. For many scholars, these verses only represent the reawakening of the political and religious dead people to national and spiritual life, but the ultimate return to the rich spiritual life of God’s people is also a focus. Finally, there is the return to the land God promised to the nation of Israel.

Scholars are split on the ability of Ezekiel to believe, teach, or have knowledge of the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. Most modern scholars do not feel this text refers to the doctrine of a bodily resurrection of the dead. They feel that Ezekiel’s interests were not a personal resurrection and to read this back into the text misses the essential points. However, Tertullian uses this text to refute the Gnostics on the bodily resurrection. In Christian Dogmatics, by Francis Pieper, the gradual development of a resurrection faith in the Old Testament is acknowledged in later chapters, and is one of the cited chapters (Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, vol. 3 [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1953], 535–36).

Sermon Outline

Introduction: Europe has some of the largest and most beautiful cathedrals in the world. Built centuries ago, these edifices display all the glories of the Church. Architecture and theology come together to give a unified witness to Christ and his work to redeem sinful humankind, giving them life through his death and resurrection.

Underneath these magnificent cathedrals, you can find large crypts that appear very different from the beautiful structures above. But beauty comes in different forms. Beyond the formal crypts with the burial vaults of kings, queens, princes, princesses, and dignitaries, you will find the bone rooms. In an endless maze of tunnels lie the bones of thousands and thousands of people. Skulls are stacked from floor to ceiling and as far back as one can see. Here the dead rest, waiting for the resurrection of the dead.

We confess every Sunday in the creed that we believe in “the resurrection of the body.” But how can dead bones live? The prophet Ezekiel was given a vision not unlike the crypts of European cathedrals: a pile of dry, lifeless bones. Through this vision, the Lord shows Ezekiel exactly how dead bones are raised to life.

The Spirit of God Breathes Life into Dead, Dry Bones

I. The Spirit of God breathes life into dead Israel.

A. Israel suffers death under God’s Law.

1. A once great nation is broken and exiled from God’s holy land (vv 1–2).

2. The dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision are “the whole house of Israel” (v 11).

a. Dead bones had become a common sight in the Babylonian captivity.

b. Israel’s bones were also “dried” of God’s Spirit because of their sinfulness ().

3. Israel’s disobedience had brought both physical and spiritual death upon them.

B. Israel is saved by God’s grace and is brought back to life by his Spirit.

1. God remains gracious even while Israel is in exile (vv 3–6).

2. Israel is physically and spiritually restored (vv 7–13).

a. They are restored to life by deliverance from captivity ().

b. They are spiritually restored by cleansing from iniquity ().

3. The Spirit of God breathes life into the lifeless Israelites (v 14).

II. The Spirit of God breathes life into dead sinners.

A. We suffer death under God’s Law.

1. Sinful people are broken and exiled from God’s presence.

2. The dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision are the whole house of Israel (v 11), including the new Israel in the Church.

a. We are “dried” of God’s Spirit because of our sinfulness.

b. Our bones will one day be dead bones because of our sin.

3. Our disobedience to God has brought both spiritual and physical death upon us.

B. We are saved by God’s grace and are brought back to life by his Spirit.

1. God remained gracious to us, even while we were still sinners, by sending Christ to die in our place ().

2. We are first spiritually restored and will one day be physically restored.

a. We are spiritually restored by the forgiveness of our sins through Christ’s death on the cross.

b. We will be physically restored on the Last Day, when our bodies are raised from the dead just as Christ was raised from the dead.

3. The Spirit of God breathes life into us dead sinners through the earthly means of Word, Baptism, and Supper, which deliver the benefits of Christ’s work to us.

Conclusion: Israel had lost so much, but the prophecy of Ezekiel brought hope to a troubled people. Their journey was long. Their lives, like the dry bones, were with little faith in what God would do for them. Yet God through the prophet brought hope as the bones came together and were resurrected from their dry state. Then God put his breath into these bones, giving them life as he did with man’s original creation.

The Christian Church is finishing her journey this Lenten season as she waits for the Passion, cross, and resurrection of her Lord. It is only in Christ that the Church finds her hope, in Christ who dies on the cross and after three days rises from the dead.

You became a follower of Christ on the day you were baptized into him. Through water and the Word, you became one with him in his death and resurrection. Daily our Lord puts the breath of life into you through the Gospel, forgiving your sins and making you new. Your body is fed with his body and blood, and you hunger no more.

Like the bones of those who have gone before us, our bodies will come together in the end as the Church confesses so boldly in the creed. God’s Spirit gives life now and will give life at the Last Day, when our graves will be opened and our dry bones raised to be united with our redeemed and forgiven souls in heavenly splendor.