Ezekiel 37

[godenver1]

Hi, I'm currently studying the book of Ezekiel. After each part of the Bible studied there are a few questions. I'm struggling to answer these questions, so if anyone could help out I'd appreciate it.

1.Many people have interpreted verses 1-14 as an Old Testament doctrine of bodily resurrection or an allegory of individual spiritual regeneration in Christ. But in the context of Ezekiel's teachings after the fall of Jerusalem why do you think "Can these bones live?" (v. 3) is an important question for the Lord to ask the prophet?


It appears that Ezekiel has the knowledge that God could resurrect his people, but not faith to believe God will do it. Why is it important for Ezekiel to be asked to speak to the dead bones (vv. 4, 7)?

In 36:22 God says, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name." Three times in the vision God says he will do this so that "you will know that I am the LORD" (37:6, 13, 14). Why is God's settled decision to renew his own people so crucial to the declaration of God's glory in the world?

Read more: Quiet Time Bible Study - Ezekiel 37 : Can These Bones Live? - InterVarsity Press

Even if it's just one question I'd appreciate it.

 

[x141]

The whole Bible is one narrative that becomes divided, and then brought back to the place where this division began (not unlike the bones that were alive and now dead being brought back to the state that it was before), joining the two perceptions into one in a life that is lived.

The Bible defines the language of God, and the words of this book being one narrative are not divided any more than God is, and must be defined by the one whose language it is, which is a language to us that is one or whole, or coming from only one, which is the spirit of the Father that is in us.

We can't divorce the words of Jesus concerning, to what he referred to as the law of the Jews (OT), as not testifying of him in the form that reveals the process of coming to him, as a perception of our relationship with our Father and the seasons of this relationship.

I'm sure this is not the answer you were looking for, but at least it is an answer.

 

[mrseven]

Why is God's settled decision to renew his own people so crucial to the declaration of God's glory in the world?

Verse 23 is giving you the answer.

Ezekiel 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of the m; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the LORD God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

God promised that he would never wipe the Jews off the face of the earth, and that they would always be a special people to him. The best way God can display His grace and patience to the world is by fulfilling this promise to Israel.

Other examples of this are the ten plagues that God punished Egypt with. They were done so that the Egyptians and rest of the world would know that there was only one God, and the Jews were his people.

Numbers 33:4 For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.

During the campaign of Joshua to occupy the holy land, the Canaanites were terrified of Joshua because they knew of God's power and that He fought for them.

Joshua 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 is clearly prophetic, speaking of the resurrection brought about by Jesus Christ. It speaks of the graves opening and the spirit of God into them, which would be the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost does not dwell within anyone until after the resurrection of Jesus.

I also believe that the imagery of the bones being covered with flesh but having no life until Ezekiel prophesied to them is a reference to words spoken by Jesus (in reference to Deuteronomy):

Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

 

[Shimshon]

It appears that Ezekiel has the knowledge that God could resurrect his people, but not faith to believe God will do it. Why is it important for Ezekiel to be asked to speak to the dead bones (vv. 4, 7)?

In 36:22 God says, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name." Three times in the vision God says he will do this so that "you will know that I am the LORD" (37:6, 13, 14). Why is God's settled decision to renew his own people so crucial to the declaration of God's glory in the world?

Even if it's just one question I'd appreciate it.

I'd like to direct your attention to verses 27-28;

27 My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 Then the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”
​

This is what the church has ignored or rejected through thousands of years of supersessionism. That God has a real life plan for Israel. We have not been erased nor replaced. And you have seemingly, by God, found the prophets words in regards to this blessed truth. Good job!

When Yeshua the King returns he will gather the remnant of Israel and bring them back into our own land. He will make one nation of us, and will be the only King over all. He will forgive our sins and remember them no longer, cleansing us so that we will be his people, and He will be our God. Forever we will live there, and forever Yeshua will be King. He will make an everlasting covenant of peace with us, increasing our numbers greatly and dwell among us forever.

I have written a blog article on this very subject. You can read it here: The Return of the King

 

[godenver1]

Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

First, thank you all for your answers- better late than never (I've finished Ruth and am onto 1 Samuel now)

This I found interesting. Is this just your belief or is that an actual reference?
It makes sense to me- we will be alive when God breaths His Spirit into us and tells us to live.

godenver1

 

[godenver1]

Hi Shimshon

I took a quick glance over your link.

Where does this leave the church (of Christ) As in gentile believers?

 

[n2thelight]

Hi, I'm currently studying the book of Ezekiel. After each part of the Bible studied there are a few questions. I'm struggling to answer these questions, so if anyone could help out I'd appreciate it.

1.Many people have interpreted verses 1-14 as an Old Testament doctrine of bodily resurrection or an allegory of individual spiritual regeneration in Christ. But in the context of Ezekiel's teachings after the fall of Jerusalem why do you think "Can these bones live?" (v. 3) is an important question for the Lord to ask the prophet?


It appears that Ezekiel has the knowledge that God could resurrect his people, but not faith to believe God will do it. Why is it important for Ezekiel to be asked to speak to the dead bones (vv. 4, 7)?

In 36:22 God says, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name." Three times in the vision God says he will do this so that "you will know that I am the LORD" (37:6, 13, 14). Why is God's settled decision to renew his own people so crucial to the declaration of God's glory in the world?

Read more: Quiet Time Bible Study - Ezekiel 37 : Can These Bones Live? - InterVarsity Press

Even if it's just one question I'd appreciate it.

God is going to use symbols in Ezekiel 37, to show us how the restoration of the two Houses will be joined together. These two Houses today are; the House of Israel [the Christian nations], and the House of Judah [the true Jew]. God took Ezekiel to a valley, and sat him right in the middle of it. As Ezekiel looked around, all he could see were bones everywhere. It was just full of stacks of dead dry bones. These bones were scattered and all disassembled.

Now, lets put realism to what God is projecting to Ezekiel. God is going to reveal to Ezekiel what He will do in these end times. Keep in mind that Ezekiel's far distant future is past history, and current events to us living today.

Ezekiel 37:11 "Then He said unto me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

ezekiel37

 

[godenver1]

God is going to use symbols in Ezekiel 37, to show us how the restoration of the two Houses will be joined together. These two Houses today are; the House of Israel [the Christian nations], and the House of Judah [the true Jew]. God took Ezekiel to a valley, and sat him right in the middle of it. As Ezekiel looked around, all he could see were bones everywhere. It was just full of stacks of dead dry bones. These bones were scattered and all disassembled.

Now, lets put realism to what God is projecting to Ezekiel. God is going to reveal to Ezekiel what He will do in these end times. Keep in mind that Ezekiel's far distant future is past history, and current events to us living today.

Ezekiel 37:11 "Then He said unto me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

ezekiel37

Interesting.

That would answer my above question. Christian nations (peoples) are the descendants of Jacob referred to in Luke 1:32-33 ?

32[bless and do not curse]He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33[bless and do not curse]and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Is this correct?

 

[mrseven]

First, thank you all for your answers- better late than never (I've finished Ruth and am onto 1 Samuel now)

This I found interesting. Is this just your belief or is that an actual reference?

It was a thought, that's what it seems to be indicating to me, that the word of God is what is bringing life to these resurrected bodies, in that our resurrection is only obtained by faith in God's word.

God is going to use symbols in Ezekiel 37, to show us how the restoration of the two Houses will be joined together. These two Houses today are; the House of Israel [the Christian nations], and the House of Judah [the true Jew].

I do not believe that is what this is speaking of.

Ezekiel 37:19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hands of Ephraim, and the tripes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.

This is speaking of the split nation of Israel. Remember, Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Israel at one time, split the kingdom of Israel into two nations. There was the northern nation of Israel (consisting of 10 tribes) which revolted against his rule, and the nation of Judah, consisting of Benjamin and Judah in the south. (1 Kings 12)

So it seems this prophecy is speaking of the eventual united kingdom that Jesus Christ will bring about in which Israel is one nation.

 

[Shimshon]

Hi Shimshon

I took a quick glance over your link.

Where does this leave the church (of Christ) As in gentile believers?

Maybe you should actually read what was written instead of glancing at your trigger words. I qualified this from the very beginning of the article.

The King would return and regather his people to his Kingdom. As the nations of the world understand and believe in this miracle, they too would come into His Kingdom, as gentiles, to receive the blessings offered them. All be it, after much disaster and destruction (purification). Just like Israel is going through, so too the nations of the world are going through this consecration. All be it through different means, but to the same goal.

After God purifies Israel , he purifies the nations. Another way to look at it is, after Israel is consecrated to God, the nations will be consecrated to Him as well. And in the end, all will worship the King of Glory in his resting place. Both Israel and the nations will honor God, and dwell in union with Him forever. In fact, through God redeeming his people Israel , the nations will turn to Him and glorify him as well.

You see, because of supersessionism that has infested the church after Messiah's resurrection Israel has been maligned and forgotten about by most of modern Christianity. And so my anti-supersessionistic perspective focuses on the restoration of Israel. Which is not only biblical, but promised and fully connected to the end-times. So my perspective is one of restoration of Israel as proved by the writtings of the prophets in connection with the return of Messiah. My people as a whole have been blinded, but the blinders are being removed. And the whole world will be blessed through this act, of God.

However, you have given me food for thought. As a Messianic Jew I have the perspective of a Jew, but as a Messianic I understand your question well. And should start to make more focus on how the nations will be included in this blessing. Because the blessing is for both Israel and the nations. We are one in Messiah, equal in the site of God because of our faith in Yeshua. But as the hand has a different function than the foot we have different functions within the body of Messiah.

Israel has a place and purpose in the kingdom of God. So do the nations of the world. Both are equal in having sinned, both are equal in having been promised restoration, but both are not restored in the same way, nor are they restored apart from each other. When Messiah comes back he will restore Israel, and so restore the world. Each are restored to him, through Messiah. But the path and process of that restoration is different. Just like we put socks on our feet but gloves on our hands. God buts gloves on Israel, and socks on the nations. Both applied through the blood of Messiah. Every member needs personal attention, each group is a different member in the whole of the body. The unity is in the indwelling of the Spirit, and the testimony of Messiah.

 

[Shimshon]

Interesting.

That would answer my above question. Christian nations (peoples) are the descendants of Jacob referred to in Luke 1:32-33 ?

32[bless and do not curse]He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33[bless and do not curse]and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Is this correct?

No, in Messianic Judaism we call this thinking Two House and it is rejected by the whole of our leadership.

The Ephraimite Error: A Short Summary
A movement alternately known as the "Ephraimite," "Restoration of Israel," "Two-Covenant Israel," or "Two House" movement has recently gained ground in some areas among ardent Christian Zionists. Proponents of this movement contend that members of the "born-again" segment of the Christian church are, in fact, actual blood descendants of the ancient Israelites who were exiled in the Assyrian invasion of Israel in 722 B.C.E.1
Primary among the movement's spokespersons are Batya Wootten and Marshall, a.k.a. Moshe, Koniuchowsky.

 

[godenver1]

Thanks for the info, Shimshon.

 

[godenver1]

Thanks for the info, Shimshon.

 

[x141]

No, in Messianic Judaism we call this thinking Two House and it is rejected by the whole of our leadership.

The one who leads me teaches me the same thing concerning Jew and gentile, or Cain and Abel, or the elder and the younger. God only has one son, and this truth is narrowed down to every son as a perception of the two that become one, or the son of man is the son of God (which differs from Job's perception of the truth before he was turned to see), which was the mystery hid from or because of the foundation of the world and still remains hid to more than just a few.