Bible Pathway - Sept. 11, 2011
Read Ezekiel 37
Highlights:
All of us are just dry, dead bones, dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1) until God fills us with eternal life (Ezek. 37:13-14). Like Job, the latter end of Israel will be far greater than before (37:24-28). You need to know verses 38:23 and 39:25.
The worship of idols had destroyed the once-magnificent Israelite kingdom. Every vestige of hope of a Jewish nation had vanished. The Temple was in ruins, Jerusalem lay waste, and all twelve tribes were slaves scattered throughout the Gentile world. It was at this time that the Lord gave Ezekiel a vision of future hope. He saw a valley full of scattered dry bones. Those bones represented the Israelite kingdom that no longer existed and which had no hope of ever again becoming a nation. They said: Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost. . . . Thus saith the Lord God . . . I will open your graves . . . and bring you into the land of Israel. . . . and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land (Ezek. 37:11-14).
To the few faithful Israelites then suffering at the hands of their relentless persecutors, this prophecy gave assurance that one day they would be restored as a nation and triumph over all opposing forces. As foretold, the outcome would free the chosen people from idol worship so that they would be loyal to their Messiah, the One True God (Matt. 2:2; Luke 1:31-33; John 14:11).
Just as God was the only One who could restore life to the dry bones, He is the only One who can restore Israel as a nation (Ezek. 37:13-14). The partial fulfillment of this amazing prophecy took place in 1948 when God miraculously resurrected the Israelite nation. The overwhelming evidence of the supernatural power of God working on behalf of His people should remove all doubt concerning the future reign of Christ.
All mankind is as spiritually dead as the dry bones of Ezekiel's vision until they are made alive by the Holy Spirit. In all ages, the forces that refuse to acknowledge the One True God have violently attacked the Word of God. There have been times when it seemed the foundations of Truth would become as dry bones and the Church would fall into apostasy. But, just as wheat is shaken to remove the chaff and gold is placed in the furnace to remove its dross, so, similarly, the Lord permits enemy attacks to sever the believer from the defilement of worshiping idols.
Often we unconsciously create "idols" in our lives. They could be a vehicle, boat, home, money, or another person. Yet in the first Commandment God gave mankind, He said: Thou shalt have no other gods before Me (Ex. 20:3).
Thought for Today:
Christ must be Lord of our lives. Only then will we see things of eternal significance accomplished, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts (Zech. 4:6).
Christ Revealed:
As the One who made possible our resurrection from the grave (Ezek. 37:12). The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout . . . and the dead in Christ shall rise first (I Thess. 4:13-18; also John 11:25; Rev. 1:18).
Word Studies:
37:26 place them settle and bless them; 38:19 shaking earthquake; 39:6 carelessly securely, undisturbed; 39:14 sever out select; with the passengers with the already-collected dead.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Sen. Daniel Akaka (HI) and Rep. Tim Murphy (PA) • Country: Uruguay (3 million) on the southeastern coast of South America • Major language: Spanish • Religious freedom • 60% Roman Catholic; 2% Protestant; 2% Jewish; .7% Eastern Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: Rely upon the Lord at all times; He is your refuge (Ps. 62:8).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
John 1:11
