Ezekiel 37:1-14.
God is positioning and equipping
God is repositioning His people for spiritual warfare, preparing and equipping them to engage in spiritual battles against the forces of evil. In Ezekiel 37:1-14, we read about a miraculous repositioning that took place in conditions that seemed dead and hopeless.
The prophet Ezekiel received a vision from the Lord in which he was taken to a valley filled with dry bones. These bones are described as very dry, signifying that they had been dead for a long time. God asks Ezekiel whether these bones could live again. It’s a question meant to highlight the seemingly impossible nature of the situation. Ezekiel responds by acknowledging that only God knows. God instructs Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, saying, “O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.” Ezekiel is to declare that God will make breath enter the bones, and they will come to life.
The bones came together
As Ezekiel prophesies, there is a rattling noise, and the bones come together, bone to bone. Tendons and flesh cover the bones, but there is still no life in them. Then, Ezekiel is commanded to prophesy to the wind, and breath enters the bodies, bringing them to life, standing upon their feet restored and an exceeding great army.
God explains the vision to Ezekiel, stating that the bones represent the house of Israel. The people of Israel feel cut off and without hope, but God promises to open their graves, bring them up from them, and put His Spirit in them. The people will know that He is the Lord when He opens their graves and brings them back to the land of Israel. The vision is a symbolic portrayal of the restoration of Israel. The dry bones represent the people of Israel in a state of spiritual death and exile. The process of bones coming to life signifies God’s promise to bring the exiled Israelites back to their land and restore them spiritually.
Life in the most desolate circumstances
The vision concludes with the assurance that God will settle His people in their own land. They will know that He is the Lord when He has acted on their behalf. The valley of dry bones serves as a powerful illustration of God’s ability to bring life and hope to His people even in the most desolate circumstances.
In the face of challenging or negative circumstances in the world today, those who follow God and His ways are being guided or moved by Him to new positions or roles. God is actively working to place His people in situations where they can better serve Him or fulfill their purpose, even amidst a world full of evil or adversity.
Counteract the negative influences
God is leading His people to a deeper spiritual understanding or renewal, helping them realign their lives with His purpose and teachings amidst the challenges of the world. He is orchestrating connections among His people so that they can, as a unified body, withstand and counteract the negative influences of the world. God is guiding His people to new opportunities for serving others and spreading kindness, compassion, and justice in the face of evil. He is equipping them with the strength, resilience, and courage needed to navigate and overcome the trials and temptations of the world.
Our ultimate citizenship lies in heaven
God is giving them discernment and wisdom to recognize truth from falsehood, enabling them to make righteous choices in a world filled with deception and corruption. He is reminding them that their ultimate citizenship lies in heaven and encouraging them to live in a manner consistent with His kingdom values. While God is repositioning and preparing you, the following is what He requires of you so that you stay in position:
- Deeper Prayer Life: God is requiring His people to deepen their prayer lives, fostering a closer connection with Him to receive guidance, strength, and protection in spiritual battles.
- Scriptural Knowledge: God is requiring His people to deepen their understanding of scripture, equipping them with the knowledge and wisdom to discern truth from deception and to wield the “sword of the Spirit” effectively.
- Spiritual Discernment: God is requiring His people to have spiritual discernment, sharpening and enabling them to recognize and resist the subtle tactics of evil forces and to stand firm in their faith.
- Unity in the Body of Christ: God is requiring unity and cooperation among His people, encouraging them to support and strengthen one another in spiritual warfare through love, encouragement, and accountability.
- Empowerment with Spiritual Gifts: God is bestowing spiritual gifts upon His people, empowering them with gifts such as prophecy, healing, or discernment to combat evil and advance His kingdom.
- Victorious Mindset: God is instilling in His people a mindset of victory, reminding them of His ultimate triumph over evil and empowering them to approach spiritual warfare with confidence and courage.
- Preparation for Battle: God is training His people for battle, teaching them to put on the “armor of God” and to stand firm against the schemes of the devil, knowing that their struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil.
The story of the Valley of Dry Bones is often interpreted as a message of hope, restoration, and the transformative power of God’s Spirit in bringing life to that which seems beyond revival. It emphasizes God’s sovereignty, His ability to fulfill promises and the importance of trusting in His redemptive work.