Ezekiel 37:14

The symbol of the wind breathing into the slain is here explained: it is the spirit of Jehovah that gives life, Psalms 104:30. The connexion shews that the spirit of the Lord here is merely the life-giving spirit, and not the regenerating spirit, as in Ezekiel 36:27 though the distinction is merely part of the figure. The resuscitation of the dead nation could come about only through their moral regeneration, and hence in Isaiah 40-56 this is part of the work of the Servant of the Lord (Isaiah 49:8-12; Isaiah 61:1).

The passage is of great interest, apart from its own beauty, as casting light upon the condition of the people's mind. The prophet is fond of quoting expressions from the mouth of the people (e.g. Ezekiel 11:3; Ezekiel 12:22; Ezekiel 12:27; Ezekiel 16:44; Ezekiel 18:2; Ezekiel 18:25; Ezekiel 18:29, cf. Ezekiel 33:17; Ezekiel 33:20; Ezekiel 20:49; Ezekiel 36:20 &c.), and probably the words here used were actually heard. They shew a state of despondency quite natural and one no doubt greatly prevalent. Indeed in all the prophets of this age the hope that exists is hope only in Jehovah, which believes that in spite of past disasters their God will yet save the people. It is only by giving moral significance to Israel's calamities on the one hand, and on the other by animating the revolutions and commotions among the nations with Jehovah's purpose, that the faith of the prophets themselves is sustained. The prophetic hopes of this period are based on dogmatic presuppositions, e.g. that Jehovah is the true and living God and that there is none else; that Israel is his people and has his true revelation among them, which is imperishable and which must accomplish the purpose for which it was given and become effectual in making a true people of the Lord (Isaiah 55); and that the purpose of the one God must embrace all the nations of the earth, between whom and Jehovah Israel is the link of communication. The prophetic views as to how Jehovah shall use Israel to give the nations the knowledge of himself differ. In Isaiah 40 seq. Israel becomes the light of the nations having the true knowledge of God it imparts it to the heathen. In Ezekiel it is their own observation and reflection on Israel's history that reveals to the nations Jehovah's true nature. In all, however, the work of redemption is the work of Jehovah. Here his restoration of Israel is reanimation of the dead through his life-giving spirit.