Eternal Breath: Reviving Dry Bones
"Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:" - Ezekiel 37:5

In the book of Ezekiel, we are introduced to one of the most profound visions recorded in Scripture, known as the Valley of Dry Bones. Ezekiel 37:5 reads, "Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live." This verse is not merely a proclamation regarding the physical resurrection of Israel but serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual renewal, restoration, and the life-giving presence of God.
The context of this vision is particularly important. The Israelites found themselves in exile, separated from their homeland, and despairing of ever returning to a state of spiritual and national vitality. These dry bones represent not just physical death but a culmination of spiritual decline, disobedience, and hopelessness. Yet, it is precisely into this context of despair that God speaks life. It’s easy to overlook the significance of this moment; God could have chosen to deliver a message of condemnation, but instead, He speaks words of hope.
The imagery of dry bones suggests a severing from life and vitality, perhaps reflecting the many seasons of our lives where we too may feel dry—spiritually parched, empty, or desolate. Many of us encounter periods when our faith feels brittle, our prayers seem to bounce off an iron sky, and hope appears as a flickering candle about to extinguish. However, it is in these very moments that the Word of God, like a breath of divine air, can ignite our hearts afresh.
When God speaks to the bones, He states, "I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live." The promise of divine breath is synonymous with the Spirit of God, which is why Ezekiel's vision can be seen as a foreshadowing of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. As believers, we are invited to experience this resurrection power through the Holy Spirit—who brings conviction, hope, and life. It is a reminder that spiritual rejuvenation does not solely stem from our efforts but through the grace and power of God’s presence within us.
To illustrate this point further, let us reflect on the Gospel of John, where Jesus promises, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). The same God who spoke life into the valley of dry bones desires to awaken our spirits, renew our minds, and breathe new life into seemingly lifeless situations in our lives.
As we meditate on this powerful verse from Ezekiel, consider your own existence. What areas in your life feel parched? What dreams seem dead and buried? Perhaps a relationship that has soured, a loss you can’t seem to recover from, or an aspiration dashed to pieces. It is time to allow the Lord to breathe life back into those places. In prayer, present your dry bones before Him. Speak His promises over your hurts and disappointments. Ask Him to ignite a spark of hope where hopelessness has taken root.
God’s message to Ezekiel and to us is clear: no situation is beyond the reach of His restoration. He invites us to behold the divine power that can transform despair into hope, and death into life.
As you go forth today, let this verse resonate within you. Hold onto the truth that the Lord is still saying to His people, "Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live." Let it inspire you to cultivate a relationship with Him, an openness to His Spirit, and a readiness to witness His miraculous work of resuscitation in every dry and barren place of your life.
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Ezekiel 37:5 - "Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:"
"Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:" - Ezekiel 37:5
Ezekiel 37
Ezekiel 37:7
ezekiel 37 dry bones
Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The valley of dry bones.
Ezekiel 37 1-7
Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The vision of the valley of dry bones.
Ezekiel 37:1-10 – The vision of the valley of dry bones.
Ezekiel 37:15 - "¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 37:20 - "¶ And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes."
Ezekiel 37:27 - "My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Ezekiel 37:17 - "And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand."
Ezekiel 20:37 - "And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:"
Full picture of dry bones Ezekiel 37:1-14
Isaiah 37:5 - "So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah."
in the context of Ezekiel 37, draw a valley full of dry human bones
in accordance with Ezekiel 37, draw a picture of a valley that is full of dry bones for an far as you can see. Standing in the valley is the prophet Ezekiel standing in wonder.
Ezekiel 37:28 - "And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore."
Exodus 37:5 - "And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark."
Ezekiel 37:3 - "And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest."
Ezekiel 37:8 - "And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them."
"¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying," - Ezekiel 37:15
Ezekiel 37:2 - "And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry."
Ezekiel 37:7 - "So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone."
Ezekiel 37:18 - "¶ And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?"
Ezekiel 37:10 - "So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army."
Ezekiel 37:1 - "The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,"
Ezekiel 36:37 - "Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock."
in accordance with Ezekiel 37, draw a picture of a gentile valley between low hills that is full of dry human bones for as far as you can see. Standing in the valley is the prophet Ezekiel standing in wonder.