Tyndale Open Study NotesEzekiel 37

The prophet saw a lively city full of life (Ezekiel 36:38). Then, he found himself in a valley filled with bones. This symbolized the promise that the spirit of the Lord gives life (Ezekiel 36:16–38).

This death scene seemed hopeless. These were not recently dead bodies, but scattered bones, completely dried out. This scene symbolized the people's attitude. Their hopes were not just dead. Their hopes were broken and dried up.

Son of man, can these bones come to life?: The expected answer was no, but Ezekiel knew that God's power is unlimited. So, he asked God the question again. The real issue was not if the Lord could make these bones live, but if he wanted to do so.

• God wanted these bones to live. He communicated this through the message that Ezekiel was to deliver to the bones. Ezekiel declared they would become living, breathing bodies again, with flesh, muscles, and breath.

• The word translated as breath can also mean "spirit" or "wind," a wordplay that continues throughout this chapter.

Ezekiel followed his task to prophesy to the bones, and they formed complete bodies. However, a body with bones, muscles, flesh, and skin is still lifeless. These people needed breath to live, as described in Genesis 2:7.

When Ezekiel spoke to the four winds, breath entered the re-formed bodies. They stood up as a great army ready for action. This breath, symbolizing being filled with the Spirit, gave them life and strength for action, just as it had happened to the prophet on two earlier occasions (Ezekiel 1:28–2:2 and 3:23–24).

The oracle that follows explains this vision. The people in exile felt as lifeless as old, dry bones. They believed all hope was lost. However, the Lord could and would restore them to life. God would call them his people again. He promised to open their graves of exile and bring them back to the land of Israel.

The Lord would give his life-giving Spirit to his people. If the sovereign Lord decided to raise them, their dryness would not stop him.

The prophet then performed a sign action (see “Prophetic Sign Acts” Theme Note) that showed the future reunification of God's people and the healing of the division between the northern and southern tribes (see 1 Kings 12).

The Lord, who has complete authority and power, would bring Israel back together by his own power.

When the kingdoms were joined together again, the problems that had caused the division would also be solved.

In the past, King Rehoboam’s harsh and unfaithful leadership divided the nation (1 Kings 12). Now God would give his people one servant leader, a shepherd king. Like David, this king would unite the tribes.

The restored people would also be made clean again. God would remove their idols and other sinful practices. The Lord would once again be their God.

After being made pure, they would obey the Lord’s laws and live in the land forever.

The covenant of peace is the blessing that comes from obeying the covenant. This covenant would last forever.

In the past, the people’s sin made them unclean. Because of this, the Lord allowed the temple to be destroyed. Now their new purity would be shown in a new sanctuary. God would live among them there forever.

This final temple would show the success of God’s work to make his people holy. It would demonstrate that the Lord is the one who makes Israel holy (see Ezekiel 40–48).