Reviving Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry. 3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” 4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.’ 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. 6 I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the Lord.’”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew 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 the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.”’” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. 14 I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it,” declares the Lord.’”

The prophet Ezekiel is transported by the Spirit to a valley filled with dry bones. This scene presents a powerful metaphor for spiritual death and the hope of restoration. As Ezekiel surveys the desolate landscape, God asks him, "Can these bones live?" Ezekiel's response is one of faith, acknowledging that only God knows the answer.

In our own lives, we may encounter seasons of dryness and despair. We may feel spiritually depleted, disconnected, or lost in the desert of our circumstances. Like the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision, we may wonder if there is any hope for revival, any possibility of life amidst the dryness.

Yet, God's response to Ezekiel offers a message of hope and restoration. He commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, declaring, "I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life." Through Ezekiel's obedience, the bones begin to come together, sinews and flesh cover them, and breath enters them, bringing them to life once more.

This passage reminds us that even in the midst of our hardest seasons, God's power to bring life is not limited. He specializes in breathing life into dead places, resurrecting hope from despair, and transforming dry bones into living, breathing beings. Just as Ezekiel's prophetic words sparked life in the valley of dry bones, our faith-filled declarations can invite God's life-giving power into our own situations.

Ezekiel's vision extends beyond the physical restoration of the bones. God explains that the dry bones represent the people of Israel who feel hopeless and cut off from their homeland. This is significant because Babylon had destroyed Jerusalem and exiled the people in three waves. In 605 BC, hostages, including Daniel, were taken. In 597 BC, ten thousand more were carried off, including Ezekiel. And in 586 BC, the final destruction and exile took place. They were longing for their homeland. Through this vision, God reassures them of His promise to restore them and renew their hope. He declares, "I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land."

Similarly, God will breathe His Spirit into us, revitalizing our spirits and guiding us into the fullness of life He intends for us. He invites us to trust Him amid our dry seasons and to believe that He is able to bring beauty from ashes.

As we reflect on Ezekiel's vision of dry bones coming to life, may we be encouraged to trust in God's power to bring life and restoration to every area of our lives. Let us declare with faith, "Sovereign Lord, you alone know." And may we be confident that in His time and in His way, He will breathe new life into our dry bones, bringing forth beauty, hope, and abundant life.

In what areas of your life do you currently feel like you are in a “valley of dry bones,” in need of God’s restoration and revitalization?

How can you exercise faith and obedience, trusting in God’s power to bring forth new life?


Heavenly Father, during our dry seasons and desolate valleys, we come before You with open hearts. Strengthen our faith to believe in Your ability to breathe new life into the areas where we feel hopeless or disconnected. Help us to trust in Your promises of restoration. Amen.