THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES

THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES

R.R.R.

(Ezekiel 37:1-14)

Introduction:

1. The Old Testament was written for our learning (Romans 15:4). Romans 15:4

New International Version

4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

2. God has taught many wonderful lessons in some rather unusual

ways.

a. Hosea was told to marry a harlot (Hosea 1:2).

b. Naaman was told to dip in the Jordan (II Kings 5:10).

c. Moses was told to make a brazen serpent (Num. 21:4-9).

d. Ezekiel was told to lay on his left side for 390 days

(Ezekiel 4:4-8).

3. Ezekiel 37 introduces us to another rather unusual lesson that God taught through the prophet Ezekiel.

4. This lesson is designed to ascertain several lessons from Ezekiel's experience.

I. THE HISTORICAL BACKDROP

A. (Ezekiel 37:1-14). The Valley of Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37 The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath[a] enter you, and you will come to life. 6 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.’”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”

B. Ezekiel was taken into a valley full of dead men's bones.

C. God asked Ezekiel if those bones could live.

D. Ezekiel's response was, "O, Lord God, You know."

E. God then instructed Ezekiel to go preach to those bones.

F. When Ezekiel did as commanded, the bones took on ligaments, muscles, and flesh.

G. After preaching more, the bodies became alive again.

H. Contextually, the point of this experience was to inform Israel that God could raise them up out of their spiritual graves and restore life to them once again.

II. PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM (EZEKIEL 37)

A. One Needs To Obey God, Regardless.

1. Ezekiel's instruction did not seem to be a very rational thing to do.

2. But God commanded it, and it needed to be obeyed.

3. There are yet many commands that give people problems today because they seem to lack explanation.

a. Baptism (Acts 2:38).

Acts 2:38

New International Version

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

b. The Cross (I Corinthians 1:18).

1 Corinthians 1:18

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Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

c. The Lord's Supper (Mark 14:22-25).

Mark 14:22-25

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22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24 “This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

4. (Jeremiah 10:23) It is not within a man to direct his own steps.

Jeremiah 10:23

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Jeremiah’s Prayer

23 Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own;

it is not for them to direct their steps.

5. (Isaiah 55:8-9) God's ways are not always our ways.

Isaiah 55:8-9

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8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

B. Nothing Is Impossible With God.

1. There is no hopelessness with God.

2. Ezekiel preached to a bunch of dry bones and was successful.

3. We need to preach and let the gospel do its work (Romans 1:16).

Romans 1:16

New International Version

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

4. (I Corinthians 3:5-6) We are to plant and water while God will take care of the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:5-6

New International Version

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.

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5. Look at what God did with Paul (Acts 22:3-5).

Acts 22:3-5

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3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

C. Ezekiel Preached What He Was Told To Preach.

1. (Ezekiel 37:7) "I Prophesied as I was commanded..."

2. (Jonah 3:2) "Preach the preaching I bid you..."

3. Would they have had results if they had preached something else?

4. (II Timothy 4:1-5) Preach the "Word".

5. A "watered-down" gospel that appeals to social and recreational concerns will not convert the lost.

6. (I Peter 4:11) Speak the oracles of God.

1 Peter 4:11

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11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

D. There Is A Need For Self Examination.

1. Could we be like those dead, dry bones of Ezekiel?

2. Could we look alive outwardly, but in reality be dead (Rev. 3:1)? Revelation 3:1

New International Version

To the Church in Sardis

3 “To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

3. Israel was dead in their graves, but was promised revival by God if they turned back to Him.

4. This is exactly the message that is needed today.

a. Remember, Repent, and Return (Revelation 2:5).

Conclusion:

1. We today, have a seemingly impossible task, much like that of Ezekiel.

2. We have been told to go preach the gospel of Christ to a dead world.

3. May the lessons discussed tonight inspire us to do our part, and the power of God's word will do the rest.