XXXVII. This chapter consists of two distinct communications. In the first (Ezekiel 37:1) the prophet sees a vision, and is directed in consequence to utter a prophecy; in the second (Ezekiel 37:15) he is told to perform a symbolical act, and explain its meaning to the people. There is a close conne... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MIDST OF THE VALLEY. — The word is the same as in Ezekiel 3:22; Ezekiel 8:4, and having the definite article prefixed, is very probably the same plain, now seen in spirit, in which Ezekiel had seen his former visions. WHICH WAS FULL OF BONES. — It is better, with the Hebrew, to put a stop af... [ Continue Reading ]
VERY DRY — as showing that it was a long time since life had left them, and that the possibility of their living again was far removed.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAN THESE BONES LIVE? — The question is put to the prophet in order to emphasise the human impossibility of that which is immediately brought about by the Divine omnipotence. (Comp. Matthew 9:5.) It was precisely this teaching which the people needed. As they had formerly refused to believe his anno... [ Continue Reading ]
PROPHESY UPON THESE BONES. — “Prophesy” is here used (as frequently) in its original sense of “speak on God’s behalf,” and does not convey the idea of _prediction. _... [ Continue Reading ]
BREATH. — The three words,” breath,” “wind,” and “spirit,” are represented in the Hebrew by the same word, and the context must determine which sense is intended. Similarly in Greek there is the same word for the last two of these. (Comp. John 3:5.)... [ Continue Reading ]
NO BREATH IN THEM. — The restoration of the dry bones to life is described as taking place in two stages, with evident reference to the record of the creation of man in Genesis 2:7. In the first, they are restored to perfect form, but yet without life; in the second, they receive breath and become “... [ Continue Reading ]
UPON THESE SLAIN. — The word is used designedly. The bones which Ezekiel had seen were those not merely of dead, but of slain men; and in this was their likeness to Israel: as desolated, and their nationality for the time destroyed by their enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE THE WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. — This Divine interpretation of the vision leaves no doubt of its meaning. Whatever other sense might possibly be attached to its language, there can be no uncertainty as to that which the Spirit intended. The last clause of the verse, “cut off for our parts,” is obscu... [ Continue Reading ]
OPEN YOUR GRAVES. — In Ezekiel 37:2 it is said that the bones were “in the open valley,” literally, _upon the face of the valley._ This was a necessity of the vision, in order that they might be seen; now the people, whom the bones represented, are spoken of as in _graves,_ since this was the normal... [ Continue Reading ]
PUT MY SPIRIT IN YOU. — Here, as throughout this series of prophecies, the moral resurrection of the people and their restoration to their own land are intimately associated together. The former was at once the necessary condition of the latter, and would also be its consequence in a still higher de... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE STICK... ANOTHER STICK. — These are not rods, as in Numbers 17:6, although Ezekiel may have had that event in mind; the word here is an entirely different one, and means simply a piece of wood. The two pieces were, no doubt, so shaped that being firmly held together they would appear as one. FOR... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH IS IN THE HAND OF EPHRAIM. — Again Joseph is put for the whole ten tribes, and again it is indicated that the control of these was chiefly with Ephraim. The human power, which led to and perpetuated the division, is in contrast with the “mine hand,” where all shall be re-united under Divine ru... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE THEIR EYES. — The symbolical action was not only to be performed before the people, but the united wood was to remain in the prophet’s hand, while he unfolded to them the Divine promise. That promise is essentially a repetition of Ezekiel 34:11; Ezekiel 36:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL GATHER THEM. — The restoration of Israel from their captivity among the heathen here, as often elsewhere, is the first step in the fulfilment of the Divine promises. This, however, like the other Divine promises, was fulfilled only to a “remnant,” a course which, as St. Paul shows in Romans 9,... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF ALL THEIR DWELLINGPLACES. — This expression can hardly refer to their places of exile and temporary sojourn among the heathen, since these were not especially the places where they had sinned. Their sins were rather committed in their own land; the “lands of their captivity” were the places w... [ Continue Reading ]
DAVID MY SERVANT. — Here, as in Ezekiel 34:23, David personally is described as their one king and shepherd. (See the Note there.)... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVER. — Strong emphasis is placed upon this declaration by its frequent repetition. In this verse, the occupancy of the land is to be for ever, and the kingship of David is to be for ever; and in Ezekiel 37:26; Ezekiel 37:28 the sanctuary is to be “in the midst of them for evermore,” and the cov... [ Continue Reading ]
MULTIPLY THEM. — In accordance with what has gone before, comes this promise of the great increase of the spiritual Israel. Even John the Baptist had said, “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham”; but our Lord more emphatically taught that the true children of Abraham were th... [ Continue Reading ]
MY TABERNACLE ALSO. — Compare the whole promise of this verse with 2 Corinthians 6:16 : “Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” This promise of “a sanctuary in the midst of them _for evermo... [ Continue Reading ]