Scripture Reading : Ezekiel 37
Theme : Resurrection and Reunion
Resurrection (1-14)
Ezekiel is given a vision of a valley of dead dry bones and are commanded by God to speak to the bones and command them to be resurrected to life. The meaning of the vision is given in vv. 11-14. The bones are referring to the whole house of Israel, which includes the northern kingdom which was exiled more than 130 years earlier. In the end times when the Jews will be almost completely annihilated by their enemies. But God will deliver them and restore the whole nation physically and spiritually because He will put His Spirit within them. God will physically resurrect dead believers and spiritually resurrect dead souls in physically alive people. Resurrection is referring to both physical and spiritual life, just as the NT uses resurrection to mean not just physical life, but also to spiritual/new life given by Jesus (Col. 2:12-13, Rom. 6:5-11).
Reunion (15-28). The current civil war between the southern and northern kingdoms will also cease in the end times. Israel will become a united nation again under David (v.24), which is referring not literally to David the king, but to the promised Messiah, the Son of David. This is obvious given the theological background of the Davidic Covenant in 2 Sam. 7. Jesus will reign over Israel and the world and fulfill God’s promise to restore His kingdom on earth. During the millennial reign of Jesus, there will be a sanctuary/temple in Israel (v.26). This temple is described in detail in chapters 40-48.
Praying the Scripture
This vision of the resuscitation of dry bones is not only for the nation of Israel. The valley represents the whole world, and the bones the entire human race under the curse of death for its rebellion against God. Accordingly, this text holds out hope for all who accept the grace of God in Christ (Eph. 2:1–10). With good reason, we who are heirs of the glorious message of the prophets and apostles may find in this text a dramatic affirmation that the sting of death will be overcome by the animating power of Yahweh’s Spirit. It also holds out hope for a defeated and moribund church. Revival cannot be worked up from within; it will occur only as God, by his grace, breathes on us again and brings us back to life. After all, as Ezekiel had witnessed, and as he had heard on dozens of occasions, the Lord is Yahweh. He has spoken. He will make good his word.
[1][1] Block, The Book of Ezekiel, p. 392.
经文：以西结书37
主题：复活与团聚
复活（1-14）。
以西结在异象中看到一个遍满枯干骸骨的平原，并且受神吩咐要向骸骨说话，命令它们活过来。异象的寓意就在第11至14节中。骸骨指的是以色列全家，包括早在130多年前被流放的北国。末日时，犹太人将几乎被敌人灭绝，但神会拯救他们，不但复兴以色列这个国家，还要使他们的灵命复兴，因为祂要把祂的灵放在他们里面。神要使死去的信徒肉身复活，并在还活着的人中使他们死去的灵活过来。复活指的是肉体和属灵的生命，就如新约圣徒时常以“复活”代表耶稣所赐予的属灵生命或新生命（西2:12-13；罗6:5-11），而不仅是肉身的生命。
团聚（15-28）。南北国至今的内战也将在末日时停止。以色列要在大卫的统治下合一（24节）；这里指的‘大卫’并非大卫王，而是大卫的子孙，那位应许的弥赛亚。撒母耳记下7中的大卫之约便给予我们这里的神学背景。耶稣将统治以色列与全世界，并履行神的应许，要在地上复兴祂的国度。在耶稣统治的千禧年中，以色列将有一个圣所（26节）。第40至48章便详细形容了这间圣所的模样。
用经文祷告
使枯干骸骨复活的异象并不只是给以色列国。平原乃指全世界，而骸骨是因悖逆神都在死亡咒诅底下的全人类。同样的，这段经文也给凡在基督里蒙神之恩的人带来盼望（弗2:1-10）。凡领受众先知和使徒的荣耀信息的将在这段经文中有很好的理由坚信耶和华之灵的大能是带有巨大的生命力的，能胜过死亡的毒钩。这也为落败且垂死的教会带来希望。复活是不能由内发起的；唯有神因着恩典给我们气息的时候，我们才能活过来。毕竟，如以西结所见证的，也如他在不同场合中持续闻的——主是耶和华。祂已开口说话。祂必实行诺言。
[1][1] Block, The Book of Ezekiel, p. 392.
