28 January 2003

Text: Ezekiel 37

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PHRASE "THE HAND OF GOD"

"The hand of the Lord came upon me…"
Ezekiel 37:1

"The hand of the Lord was strong upon me…"
Ezekiel 3:14

"The hand of the Lord was upon me there…"
Ezekiel 3:22

1. The Divine Hand of God versus the human hand

2. The Direct Guidance of the Lord

3. The Firm Control of God

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE REFERENCE TO "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD"

"In the Spirit of the Lord…"
Ezekiel 37:1

"Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet…"
Ezekiel 2:2

"Then the Spirit lifted me up…"
Ezekiel 3:12

"So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away…"
Ezekiel 3:14

1. The Spiritual Dimension versus the Physical

2. The Divine Spirit versus the human spirit

3. Divine Power versus human power

THE VISION OF THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES

"The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.
Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry."
Ezekiel 37:1-2

INTERPRETATION OF THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES

"Then He said to me, 'Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off."
Ezekiel 37:11

THE PROPHETIC WORD CONCERNING THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES

1. Faith needed to believe that God can work a mighty miracle!

"Son of man, can these bones live?"
Ezekiel 37:3

"Therefore prophesy and say to them,
'Thus says the Lord God:
'Behold, O My people, I will open your graves,
and bring you into the land of Israel.
Then you shall know that I am the Lord,
When I have opened your graves, O my people,
And brought you up from your graves."
Ezekiel 37:12-13

2. The Power that is in God's Word

"Prophesy to these bones, and say to them,
'O dry bones, hear the Word of the Lord…"
Ezekiel 37:4

"Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,'
says the Lord."
Ezekiel 37:14

3. The Power of the Spirit of God

"Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath,
'Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath,
And breathe on these slain, that they may live.'
Ezekiel 37:9

"I will put My Spirit in you; and you shall live…"
Ezekiel 37:14

THE GREAT NEED TO PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL REVIVAL TODAY

1. For Israel

2. For the Church