1. “The Valley Of Dry Bones” Ezekiel 37 1

2. 3 Different Groups Taken Into Captivity 606 BC 597 BC 586 BC (Jerusalem destroyed) 2

3. Background Ezekiel had to show Israel that Jerusalem would be destroyed After the fall of Jerusalem he had to help them overcome their despair 3

4. Background 4 The book falls into 3 parts: 1. Prophecies before the siege of Jerusalem 1-24 2. Prophecies during the siege of Jerusalem 25-32

5. Background 5 3. Messages after the fall of Jerusalem 33-48 The vision of the dry bones in chapter 37 was a vision of their restoration

6. I. There Is Hope Even For Old Dry Bones (Vs. 1-10) 1. God takes Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones 2. Ezekiel is told to preach to the bones 3. In a wonderful scene, life returns to the bones 6

7. I. There Is Hope Even For Old Dry Bones (Vs. 1-10) -Noise and shaking -Bones are joined into skeletons – ligaments bind the bones – muscle covers the bones – then skin Now the valley is filled with corpses 7

8. I. There Is Hope Even For Old Dry Bones (Vs. 1-10) -The breath of God comes into the bodies and the army stands 8

9. II. The Explanation (Vs. 11-14) 1. The dry bones were “the whole house of Israel” (37:11) now in captivity & filled with despair 2. God could give them new life and restore them to their land 9

10. II. The Explanation (Vs. 11-14) 3. They needed to keep their faith in God Ezek. 39:25-28 10

11. III. The Fulfillment The prophecy found its fulfillment in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah The return was in 3 stages: Zerubabel; Ezra; Nehemiah 11

12. Lessons 12

13. 1. There Is Hope For Us We are always in the minority Sin abounds in the world Some Christians refuse to walk with God There is still hope for the faithful! 13

14. 2. God’s children often face overwhelming odds and problems Then there is discouragement, uncertainty about the future, etc To offset these problems, God supplies all that we need to do the best we can 14

15. Phil. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 15

16. 3. Only God Can Offer Freedom To Israel The Israelites were slaves and had no way to deliver themselves Only God could free them to return to their homeland 16

17. Is. 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness 17

18. 3. Only God Can Offer Freedom To people today Freedom from the bondage of sin Help for the saved to live a faithful life 18

19. Heb. 13:5-6 (NKJV) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: 19

20. “ The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” 20

21. Rom. 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 21

22. 3. Only God Can Offer Freedom We can give up in despair or deny the reality of our problems. Or we can face the problems, do our part, and rely on God for the rest 22

23. 4. God’s Power Is Often Exerted Through Human Agency Ezekiel was told to speak out – to preach the message God gave him to preach Today God uses Christians to make known His will to the world 23

24. 3. God’s Power Is Often Exerted Through Human Agency The lost are shown the way of salvation 24

25. Is. 55:10-11 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 25

26. [11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 26

27. Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 27

28. 4. God’s Power Is Often Exerted Through Human Agency The word of God is the most powerful force on earth! 28

29. Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 29

30. 1 Pet. 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 30

31. 5. We Are Also Reminded Of The Great Resurrection Of The Last Day Jn. 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation 31

32. 1 Cor. 15:51-53 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, 32

33. and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 33

34. References Ezekiel: Prophet In Exile, Truth For The World Outlined Commentary on Ezekiel by Bob Winton 34

35. Graphics for Scriptures 35