During a time of study, I was reminded of Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14). The vision of the valley of dry bones came to Ezekiel after God had directed him to prophesy the rebirth of Israel in chapter 36. He was given a vision of resurrection from death to life. The Lord had promised their restoration and deliverance for His glory.
This promise seemed impossible in light of Israel’s present condition. She was “dead” as a nation, deprived of her land, her king, and her temple. She had been divided and dispersed for so long that unification and restoration seemed impossible. So God gave Ezekiel the vision of the dry bones as a sign that He would resurrect and restore the nation.
God transported Ezekiel in a vision to a valley full of dry bones and directed him to speak to the bones. The bones began to come together when Ezekiel prophesied as he was commanded. First there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. Then he looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
So he was commanded to prophesy to the breath and say, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.” Ezekiel prophesied as he was commanded and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army” (vs. 9.10).
We have been experiencing some very strong high winds in my area over the past few weeks which caused me to take notice.
In Hebrew wind can symbolize “breath”, “wind” or “spirit”. Scripture describes the powerful effect of wind, and uses the image figuratively to speak of God’s power and presence in the world.
The Bible speaks of four prevailing winds from the north, south, east and west ( Ezekiel 37:9 ; Daniel 8:8 ; Zechariah 2:6 ; Matthew 24:31 ).
Whenever I hear the wind blowing I think of the Holy Spirit. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). We can’t see the wind blowing or where it’s going. Yet, we know and understand things begin to happen when the Holy Spirit begins to move.
In Ezekiel 37, God would make breath enter the bones and they would come to life, just as in the creation of man when He breathed life into Adam and he came alive (Genesis 2:7).
God is able to breathe life into seemingly dead situations. Many of you may feel that there are areas of your life that appear to be dead. Your finances, your family, your marriage, your health, your relationships all seem dead. You may feel like David that your strength is failing because of what you are going through. David lamented “My strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away” (Ps 31:10).
You feel dry and lifeless, but God is ready to breathe life into your situation. What looks dead now is about to come alive. He will put His Spirit in you and you will live.
Oftentimes I think of the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea. If Moses was able to stretch out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land so they could cross over onto dry land, surely He is able to push back our circumstances so that we can crossover into the land of promise. It may not happen immediately, but that it will happen at the right time (Exodus 14:21-22).
Often when we are going through a difficult or confusing time, we are unaware of how God is guiding us. Years later it becomes clear why God brought us through that experience the way He did. Looking back, the hand of God can be clearly seen moving, guiding, and protecting us during these times.
Trust in the Lord! He has stored up good things for those who reverence and take refuge in Him. The wind of the Spirit is blowing. Speak life over you circumstances. God will resurrect and bring life into those dry places.
Blessings,
Dr. Francine
Notes:
All Scripture is taken from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 