Ezekiel 37:1-14
This extraordinary chapter complements the preceding one; now we are shown the LORD giving new life to all His restored people. As vv. 11-14 explain, this striking vision concerns the national resurrection of Israel (after the rapture of the Church). The Jews’ actual return to Palestine seems to be its prelude. At the prophet’s word, bones are joined together, nerves, flesh and skin come to cover them over, but their dead condition has not changed. It is a national awakening, which is by no means to be compared with the spiritual awakening the people will experience at the dawn of Christ’s reign. In fact, for life to be given, the Spirit of God must act, and He will do so by awakening the conscience and the affections of this people (Psalms 104:30).
Man’s complete helplessness has been highlighted by the question put to the prophet (v. 3). In these bones there is neither strength nor life. But all this simply serves to demonstrate the power of God "who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things that be not as though they were" (Romans 4:17).
How much more wonderful still is the work He has accomplished in us! Once dead in our sins, we have been quickened (brought to life) together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13; John 5:21).