"FROM SKELETONS TO SOLDIERS!" (EZEKIEL 37:1 - 14)

The book of Ezekiel is a wonderful book.  However, due to the Symbolic and Prophetic nature of the book, many preachers neglect it in their Study, and in their Sermons. 

Ezekiel, whose name means "God strengthens me", was a Prophet who received dreams and visions from the God of Heaven!  Because the written words of God were not YET recorded, God revealed Himself to the Prophet by dreams and visions.

There are at least six separate visions given to Ezekiel in his 22 year ministry.In Chapter 37, God gave Ezekiel a vision of the Bone Yard of Israel.  (v. 11)  This vision revealed Israel's PRESENT RUIN, and it's PROPHETIC RESTORATION! 

(II Tim. 3:16) "All Scripture is profitable" Tho’ this text isn’t TO us, application can be made FOR us 

Ezekiel's visit to Israel's bone yard can be seen as a picture of the modern Church's bone yard and their DEAD condition!

 I.  THE RUIN OF THE BONES

A.      They were DRY (v. 2) How does a Christian go from being alive & healthy to being DRY?

·         (Proverbs 17:22)  "a broken spirit drieth the bones"

·         (Proverbs 15:13)  "by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."

            B.  They were DEAD!  (v. 3, 5) (Rev. 3:1)  "thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."

C.  They were DIVIDED!  (v. 7)

*Throughout the Bible, God broke things He was angry with.  It is a fearful thing to be broken by the Lord!  The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  Their bones were scattered all throughout the wilderness as punishment for their sins.

*(Ezekiel 32:27) "their iniquities shall be upon their own bones"

*God breaks people sometimes and brings them to their knees through tragedy, in order to make them realize their need for Him!

*I Corinthians 11:24 speaks of how Jesus' body was broken for us.  He was the ONLY acceptable Sacrifice that could be made for our sins.  But notice the prophecy of Psalm 34:20, "He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken." and the fulfillment in John 19:36, "A bone of him shall not be broken"  JESUS never once sinned!  Thus, His bones could not be broken!

 II.  THE REVIVAL OF THE BONES

*They say, "Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost" (v. 11) This is how many in the Church feel today!   The question is, "can these bones live?"* YES!( v.12 - 14) The message is that God can take dry, dead Christians who have fainted and fallen, and make of them an "exceeding great army"!(v. 10)   We read over and over in the Old Testament that God's people kept sinning and kept turning their back on Him repeatedly, and yet in His infinite mercy, He kept bringing them back together!  From captivity, slavery, and scattered lands, He rescued His people from the clutches of the enemy. He gave them new sinews, flesh, skin, and breath!

*We need to REQUEST the Revival! (Psalm 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?)

*We need the RECIPE for Revival!  (II Chron. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. )

*How do we get Revived, and go from Skeletons to Soldiers? It's as simple as ABC!

A.  Authority of God's Word  (v. 4) Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. I Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

B.  Breath of God!  (v. 8 - 10) John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

C.  Coming Together of God's People! (v. 7) Psalm 133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it isfor brethren to dwell together in unity!

                                    1.  We have the Same Pardon!

                                    2.  We have the Same Promises!

                                    3.  We have the Same Purpose!

III.  THE RESTORATION OF THE BONES!

          A.  Sinews upon the Flesh!  (v. 6)

*Sinew = "A fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones in the body"

                        *Type of the POWER of God!

B.  Spirit Filled!  (v. 10)  (Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; )

         C.  Stood to their Feet!  (v. 10)  (Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about

with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;)

*If you will come to JESUS in humbleness and sincerity of heart, He will restore you and forgive you.  He will restore the strength that you once had like an "exceeding great army."

Psalm 51:8  "Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice."

*JESUS loves you!  He said that He would heal your broken heart!  (Psalm 147:3)  After all, that is what He came into the world to do! (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18)