The Word of God Brings Life

One of the most curious; yet hope-filled passages of Scripture comes from a vision in Ezekiel 37. At first glance the subject matter of the valley of dry bones seems obscure, morbid, even grotesque. Having said this, Ezekiel's vision contributes a great deal to our understanding of the restoration of God's people, resurrection, and the life giving power of God's spoken word.

By way of review, Ezekiel's exposure to the dry bones was followed by the question, "Son of man, can these bones live?" The prophets response was a simple, "O Lord God, You know." This question is followed by a highly unusual command, "Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live" (Ezekiel 37:4). Interestingly enough, when the prophet began to prophesy there was a rattling sound compared to that of the earthquake in Ezekiel 3:12,13. The bones came together, sinews and flesh stuck to the bones, and skin covered the once dry bones. What is more, the Lord called Ezekiel to prophecy to the breath, "Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live (Ezekiel 37:9). Amazingly, the bodies were animated into living beings that stood on their feet as an exceedingly great army.

Thankfully we are provided with an explanation of the significance of the dry bones becoming living beings in Ezekiel 37:11-13. The bones are identified as the whole house of Israel to display the hopeless situation they found themselves in. However, the vision comes as a blessing in the sense that promised restoration is given to the people. We are told in verse 13 that the purpose of God's restoration is that the people know that God is the LORD. He is the one who created everything by the word of his power (Gen.1), He is the one who called Abram into a covenantal relationship with Himself (Gen.12), and He is the one who animates His people when he puts His Spirit within them (Ezekiel 37). This language is reminiscent of Ezekiel 36:26, "I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

The word of God brings life! "I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD" (Ezekiel 37:14). For the purpose of application, may I suggest that Ezekiel's vision highlights the importance of hearing God's word. The word of prophecy from Ezekiel is God's word. Allow me to share an observation. I get the impression that the faith of many Christians in the church today is likened to the valley of dead bones. There is spiritual dryness, observable joylessness, and the semblance of death and decay. When my faith seems cold I am reminded of Romans 10:17 which says, "faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." It is faith that animates lethargic, and apathetic Christians, and faith comes through hearing the word of Christ.

I am currently reading a book by Mark Dever entitled, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. I was not too surprised to find that the first mark of a healthy church related to the preaching of God's Word. You see without the revelation of God's Word, there is no hope for dry bones left in a valley. In Dever's first chapter entitled Expositional Preaching, he asks, "How does God put His Spirit in Israel so that they will live? He does it by His Word." This is a brilliant; yet simple observation. God puts His Spirit in the lives of people through the implantation of His Word.

In addition to this Dever says, "It is in Christ that the Word of God has fully and finally come to us." This is a tremendous truth, that should cause each and everyone of us to cling all the more closely to our Lord, Savior, and Treasure, Jesus Christ.

In speaking of how the Word of God brings life, Dever astutely recognizes that "the church of God, can only be created around the Word of God." The church of God is not created out of a focus on great programs, community involvement, or entertainment driven preaching. If we are feeling lifeless and devoid of the Spirit's animation we need nothing less than a resolution to keep our noses in the Book. It is in fresh discoveries from the Bible that we experience renewed spiritual life.

Perhaps my favorite words in the English vocabulary all begin with the letter R. Although I love, riding, roping, and reading, I am talking more along the lines of restoration, reformation, and revival. Closing off his section on how the Word of God brings life, Mark Dever quotes a statement made by the old Reformer Martin Luther. When asked about his accomplishments Luther said, "I simply taught, preached, wrote God's Word: otherwise I did nothing....The Word did it all." Lets not forget that it is the Word of God that brings life.