The first part of this chapter is a vision of a valley of dry bones coming to life. This dramatic visual was for Ezekiel to believe that God would indeed restore his people Israel, even though Babylon annihilated and deported their people. When Ezekiel saw the bones come to life, he said they were a vast army. We often feel alone in our spiritual battle, but by faith, we need to see and know that God controls life and God raises up his army.

In the second half of this chapter, Ezekiel obeys God’s command to join 2 sticks together, one representing Judah and the other Ephraim, signifying that they would be united as one nation again. God would be their God and sanctuary and peace, not a temple nor their wealth. As God raised the valley of dry bones, Almighty God would surely restore, reunite, and revive his people for his glory. When we have lost everything, it’s hard to believe that we will ever be restored. God gave his people this vision and prophecy to have hope in him and to come back to him.

According to verse 27, God’s ultimate purpose in restoring his people was so that the nations will know him. God’s hope for his people is to declare his praises. Though they failed to be a kingdom of priests, God would not fail and would restore his people so the nations would know him.
Application: Father, thank you for your great hope.
One Word: So that the world may know him