Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them.’”
Ezekiel 37:11-13
Dry Bones to Living Hope
Daily Devotion – May 21, 2024
Devotion based on Ezekiel 37:11-13
See series: Devotions
The imagery of dry bones symbolizes the desolation and despair felt by the people of Israel during their exile to the country of Babylon. They believed their hope was lost, their identity cut off, and their future buried in the dust of defeat. Yet, amid this hopelessness, God speaks a powerful word of promise through the prophet Ezekiel.
God reveals to Ezekiel that these dry bones represent the people of Israel who feel spiritually and nationally dead. They have given up hope, feeling disconnected from their heritage and purpose. But God declares that he will intercede. He will open their graves, bring them back to their land, and restore their relationship with him.
Maybe you have experienced seasons of dryness like the Israelites. Your faith seemed empty, your hope evaporating, and your connection to God distant. You felt like those dry bones, disconnected from the life-giving source of God’s presence and promises.
Yet, just as God promised restoration to Israel, he promises the same to you. He can breathe life into your dry bones, renewing your hope and reviving your faith. No situation is beyond his ability to restore and redeem. When you feel cut off and hopeless, God invites you to trust in his faithfulness.
God’s promise of opening graves and bringing life from death is not just a historical event for Israel; it’s relevant for you. In Jesus, you have the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. Jesus’ resurrection shows God’s power to bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and victory out of defeat.
Prayer:
O Lord, you are the God of resurrection and restoration. Send me your Spirit to restore my soul and bring me to life eternal with you. Amen.
