Learning the Story of God and Of the Old Testament
Season 7: Prophets and Promise
7.7 Ezekiel and Dry Bones
Ezekiel and Dry Bones: God Brings Life and Renewal
In a vision filled with hope, Ezekiel saw a valley of dry bones come alive through the power of God’s word and Spirit. The vision reminded God’s people that no situation is beyond God’s ability to restore and renew.
7.7 Ezekiel and Dry Bones
God’s people were living through one of the darkest seasons in their history.
Jerusalem had fallen.
The Temple was destroyed.
Many people were scattered in exile far from home.
Hope seemed gone.
The nation felt broken, defeated, and lifeless.
Into this moment, God gave the prophet Ezekiel a remarkable vision.
Ezekiel saw a valley filled with dry bones.
The bones represented God’s people—spiritually exhausted, discouraged, and scattered.
Yet God asked a surprising question:
“Can these bones live?” (Ezekiel 37:3 NASB)
What followed became one of the most powerful pictures of restoration and renewal in all of Scripture.
The vision of dry bones reminds believers that God can bring life to situations that appear hopeless.
Scripture References
Ezekiel 37:1–14
Related Reading:
John 11:25
Romans 8:11
Revelation 21:5
The Story
Ezekiel was a prophet living among the exiles in Babylon.
One day, the Spirit of the Lord carried him to a valley filled with dry bones.
The bones were everywhere.
They were completely dried out, symbolizing hopelessness and death.
God asked Ezekiel:
“Son of man, can these bones live?” (Ezekiel 37:3 NASB)
Ezekiel wisely responded:
“Lord God, You know.”
Then God instructed Ezekiel to speak His word over the bones.
As Ezekiel prophesied, something extraordinary happened.
The bones began to rattle.
They came together.
Tendons and flesh appeared.
Skin covered them.
Yet they still lacked breath.
God then told Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath.
When he obeyed, breath entered the bodies, and they stood up as a vast army.
God explained the meaning of the vision.
The dry bones represented the people of Israel, who believed their hope was gone.
God promised to restore them, bring them back, and breathe new life into them.
The vision became a powerful reminder that God specializes in restoration and renewal.
Understanding the Story
God Brings Life to Hopeless Situations
The valley looked completely lifeless.
Yet God brought restoration where none seemed possible.
The story reminds believers that no situation is beyond God’s power.
God’s Word Has Power
The transformation began when Ezekiel spoke God’s word.
Throughout Scripture, God’s word brings life, truth, hope, and renewal.
The Spirit of God Gives Life
The bodies became fully alive only when breath entered them.
In Scripture, breath often symbolizes the Spirit of God.
True spiritual life comes through God’s Spirit.
Hope Is Never Fully Lost
The exiles believed their future was finished.
God reminded them that He was still working.
Even during painful seasons, God’s promises remain alive.
Why This Story Matters
Ezekiel’s vision continues to speak powerfully today.
What do the dry bones represent?
Possible answers:
Hopelessness, spiritual emptiness, exile, and discouragement.
Why is the vision important?
It reveals God’s power to restore and renew.
What role does God’s Spirit play?
God’s Spirit brings life, strength, and renewal.
Can God restore broken situations today?
Yes. God continues bringing healing, hope, and renewal.
Connecting to Jesus
Ezekiel’s vision points forward to Jesus Christ.
Jesus said:
“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25 NASB)
Just as God brought life to dry bones, Jesus brings spiritual life to those who trust Him.
The vision also points toward the work of the Holy Spirit, who brings transformation and renewal to believers.
What looked dead became alive.
Through Christ, God continues making all things new.
