The Valley of Dry Bones: God’s Promise of Resurrection

Based on the Bible Study: The Valley of Dry Bones: Understanding Ezekiel 37 and Israel’s Restoration

Understanding the Prophecy of the Valley of Dry Bones

Many today believe Ezekiel 37 was fulfilled when Israel became a nation in 1948. While we certainly should pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) and desire the salvation of the Jewish people, we must rightly divide the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The prophecy of the Valley of Dry Bones is not about political restoration but about a supernatural resurrection at a future time appointed by God.

Ezekiel’s vision speaks of graves opening, bones coming together, and the Spirit of God breathing life into His people (Ezekiel 37:1–6). This is not a symbolic image of national identity—it is the literal resurrection of Israel, which will take place when the Redeemer comes to Zion.

The Spirit and the Breath of Life

Ezekiel heard the command: “Prophesy unto the wind” (Ezekiel 37:9). The Hebrew word for wind is ruach (רוּחַ), meaning breath, wind, or spirit. In Greek, the equivalent is pneuma (πνεῦμα), carrying the same meaning—spirit, breath, and life.

This is no coincidence. It is the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost, who will breathe life into Israel’s dead bones. Just as Jesus told Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7), resurrection requires both physical renewal and spiritual rebirth. Without the Spirit, the body remains lifeless. With Him, Israel will rise to walk in covenant relationship with the Lord.

Israel’s Resurrection Foretold

The Valley of Dry Bones aligns with other passages of Scripture that speak of a future resurrection:

• Daniel 12:2 – “Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.”

• John 5:28–29 – “All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.”

• Hosea 5:15; 6:2 – Israel will acknowledge their offense, and after two days He will revive them.

• Romans 11:25–27 – All Israel shall be saved when the Deliverer comes out of Zion.

  
  

This future event is tied to the time of Jacob’s trouble, culminating in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Then the graves will open, and Israel’s dry bones will stand upon their feet, alive and redeemed.

The True Covenant of Peace

When the Lord gathers Israel into their land, it will not be a political state led by unbelief but a holy nation under their true King—the Messiah. Ezekiel 37:26 declares, “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them.” This covenant is only possible through Jesus Christ, the rejected cornerstone (Matthew 21:42).

Misunderstanding Modern Israel

Why do so many evangelical Christians equate the modern state of Israel with God’s prophetic restoration? The Scriptures make it clear that Israel, in her current rejection of Christ, is not yet restored. Hosea 1:9 says, “Lo-ammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.” Until Israel acknowledges their Messiah, they remain outside the covenant.

Our focus should not be on political Zionism but on proclaiming the Gospel. Israel’s true restoration will only occur when the nation repents and turns to Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: God’s Sure Promise of Resurrection

The Valley of Dry Bones is a promise yet to be fulfilled. It is the future resurrection of Israel, when the Spirit of God breathes life into His people, and they stand upon their feet as a living nation under Christ. God’s promises are not vague allegories but certain truths awaiting their appointed time.

Until that day, our responsibility as believers is to proclaim the Gospel to both Jew and Gentile, knowing that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). When the Redeemer returns, the graves will open, the bones will rise, and Israel will be restored in righteousness under their everlasting covenant with the Lord.