Valley of Dry Bones: What Can We Learn
Yes, the title refers to the valley of dry bones mentioned in Ezekiel’s vision in Ezekiel 37:1-14. Please review the scripture.
The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.”
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you. You shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them. Skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
Valley of Dry Bones: Explanation of the Vision
Then he said to me, “Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel.
And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.”
This leads me to this question.
Are You Currently Living in a Valley of Dry Bones?
What at first seems like a script suitable for a sci-fi movie, the vision speaks not only to Israel’s future but to anyone who loses hope. Maybe you’ve slipped away from God’s embrace and struggle to find your way back.
Is your Christian life more about power and politics than allowing God’s spirit to guide you?
Has worship become legalistic and superficial?
Have life’s battles beaten you down so far you don’t see a way to get up again?
Each Christian has a personal story of defeat and feeling like they’re nothing but a dry, lifeless skeleton. So, how do you let the Wind or Spirit mentioned in the above scripture come upon you? If you exist in the valley of dry bones, how can you stand on your feet? Can you once again become a member of God’s mighty army?
One of my “come alive dry bones” episodes occurred when I miscarried our first child. I felt dead with grief. Insomnia overtook my nights and weeping stripped strength. Except, one thing never happened. I never blamed God for the misfortune. With God’s help, I regained life. But I did understand why God asked Ezekiel, “Can these dry bones live?”
5 Ways to Spring to Life from a Valley of Dry Bones
- Face your brokenness but not by yourself: At some point in our Christian lives, all of us limp along and have Ezekiel dry bones experiences. You face the reality of living with a broken heart and recognize you have a champion. The Holy Spirit knows what to do. He helps you accept rejection, face truth, love your enemies, and move beyond emotional, physical or spiritual pain.
- Confess sin even when you don’t want to: Satan loves to blind us to sin so we live lives apart from God’s presence. He wants your spirit to resemble dry bones that rattle and have no purpose. As soon as you recognize sin in your life, speak to God about it. Tell Him you repent and seek His forgiveness. He readily forgives anyone who has a repentant heart.
- Look for signs of life: A softened, once-hardened heart is a sure sign that you let God into your space. It’s refreshing when you see life spring up where dust and death used to reign. You can’t make dry bones live, but God can. He’s the life force or breath who brings life out of death.
- Remember what Jesus did for you: Your Lord and Savior was victorious over death and the grave. What does that mean? Jesus was God’s seed to harvest souls. Christians know Jesus was their perfect sacrifice but we tend to forget that when we live in the valley of dry bones. When you’re there, remember that what Jesus did for Peter, He’ll do for you. He cooked Peter breakfast even after Peter denied Him 3 times. Remember how much Jesus loves you even when you forsake Him. Let Him resurrect you to life.
- Listen to God speak and obey: The dry bones didn’t come to life until Ezekiel spoke God’s Word. Those bones rose up from a dry grave because God’s Word is active and alive. Speak to your marriage, porn addiction, and other disappointments. Find God’s promises in the Bible and speak them. Watch life come forth.
What Can We Learn from the Valley of Dry Bones?
When life looks more like an open grave, remember that death is powerless over you as a Christian. When you need to be loved, face your deepest fears, or fight through frustration, listen for God’s Spirit to say. “Come alive dry bones.”
Can’t you also hear Him speak these words?
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).