READING • EZEKIEL 37
A vision of restoration
Ezekiel 37 gives a vivid picture of the 'whole house of Israel'. The prophet sees very dry bones, then bodies restored to shape, and finally breath entering them so that they live. The chapter itself explains the central message: Israel had lost hope, but God promised restoration to the land and renewed life under His hand.
The valley of dry bones
Ezekiel was taken in vision to a valley full of bones. They were not merely dead; they were 'very dry', emphasising hopelessness. God commanded him to prophesy. The bones came together, sinews and flesh appeared, and skin covered them - but there was still no breath in them. Ezekiel then prophesied to the wind, and breath entered the bodies. They stood upon their feet as an exceeding great army.
“Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.”
Ezekiel 37:11 • King James Version
STAGE
PICTURE IN THE VISION
MEANING EMPHASISED IN THE CHAPTER
1
Very dry bones scattered in the valley
Israel pictured as without hope, cut off and dispersed.
2
Bones join; sinews, flesh and skin cover them
Restoration and regathering: God promises to bring His people into the land of Israel.
3
Breath enters the bodies and they live
Spiritual renewal: God promises to put His Spirit in them so that they know He has spoken and acted.
“Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.”
Ezekiel 37:12 (excerpt) • King James Version
“And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land.”
Ezekiel 37:14 (excerpt) • King James Version
A helpful outline, not three numbered prophecies
Ezekiel does not label these as 'Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3'. The three-part outline is a useful way of following the movement of the vision. The inspired interpretation remains the wording of the chapter itself: lost hope, restoration to the land, and life by God's Spirit.
Scattered among the nations
The previous lesson traced the long history of dispersion and persecution experienced by Jewish communities. Deuteronomy had warned Israel that covenant unfaithfulness would bring fear and insecurity among the nations:
“And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind.”
Deuteronomy 28:65 • King James Version
Return to the land in modern history
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries increasing numbers of Jews migrated to the land then commonly called Palestine. In 1917 the Balfour Declaration stated that the British Government viewed with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, while also saying that the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities were not to be prejudiced.
The Holocaust of 1933-1945 was the systematic persecution and murder of about six million European Jews by Nazi Germany and its allies and collaborators. After the Second World War, Jewish immigration and the struggle over the future of the land intensified. In May 1948 the State of Israel declared independence.
History and prophetic interpretation
The Balfour Declaration, the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel are historical events. Christadelphians see the continuing survival of the Jewish people and their return to the land as highly significant when read alongside prophecies such as Ezekiel 36-37 and Jeremiah 30-31. That identification is an interpretation of prophecy; the historical facts should be stated accurately in their own right.
God promises preservation and gathering
Jeremiah speaks both of judgement and of God's refusal to make a final end of Israel. He also uses the picture of a shepherd gathering a scattered flock:
“For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee.”
Jeremiah 30:11 (excerpt) • King James Version
“He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.”
Jeremiah 31:10 (excerpt) • King James Version
The third part of the picture
Ezekiel's vision does not end with bodies standing in the land. God promises His Spirit and a transformed relationship with Him. Ezekiel 36 gives the same sequence in different language: gathering, cleansing, a new heart and a new spirit. In Christadelphian understanding, the national return to the land is therefore not the end of the story; spiritual renewal is still essential.
A future recognition of the Messiah
Zechariah describes a future crisis centred on Jerusalem and then a profound mourning and change of heart. Christadelphians understand these passages as pointing to a future recognition of the Lord Jesus by many in Israel:
“They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son.”
Zechariah 12:10 (excerpt) • King James Version
No collective guilt
This prophecy must not be used to blame Jewish people as a whole for the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus, his apostles and the earliest believers were themselves Jews. The New Testament records responsibility among particular leaders and crowds, alongside the decisive authority of the Roman governor. The Gospel calls every person - Jew and Gentile - to repentance and faith.
The return of Jesus and Jerusalem
Zechariah 14 pictures nations gathered against Jerusalem and the LORD intervening. Verse 4 speaks of feet standing upon the Mount of Olives. Christadelphians connect this passage with Acts 1, where Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives and the angels promised that he would return.
“Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.”
Zechariah 14:3 • King James Version
“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east.”
Zechariah 14:4 (excerpt) • King James Version
The Kingdom established on earth
The purpose is not simply the survival of one nation. The Bible looks forward to God's rule extending to all peoples. Jerusalem becomes a centre from which divine teaching goes out, and the nations learn righteousness. The Kingdom is therefore both centred in God's promises to Israel and worldwide in its blessing.
“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
Isaiah 11:9 • King James Version
Isaiah's picture is one of peace under righteous government. The source lesson also quotes the wolf dwelling with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6), a memorable image of the transformation associated with the reign of the Messiah.
A response is required
Prophecy is not given merely to satisfy curiosity about future events. It calls us to recognise God's purpose, accept His Son, and live now as people who are preparing for His Kingdom. The question is not simply, 'What will happen to Israel?' but also, 'How should I respond to what God has revealed?'
Jews and Gentiles in the purpose of God
Romans 11 uses an olive tree to explain the relationship between Israel, unbelief and Gentile believers. Paul's picture is especially important because it leaves no room for Gentile pride or contempt toward Jews.
PICTURE IN ROMANS 11
WHAT PAUL TEACHES
The cultivated olive tree
God has a continuing purpose rooted in the promises and in Israel's calling.
Some natural branches broken off
Some in Israel were excluded through unbelief; Paul does not say that God has rejected every Jew or abandoned His promises.
Wild olive branches grafted in
Gentile believers may share in the blessings by faith. They do not become grounds for boasting over Israel.
Natural branches grafted in again
God is able to receive Jewish people who turn from unbelief and believe.
“Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.”
Romans 11:18 • King James Version
“Be not highminded, but fear.”
Romans 11:20 (excerpt) • King James Version
The olive-tree lesson
Gentile believers are not invited to replace Israel and then look down upon Jewish people. Paul tells them to be humble, grateful and fearful of unbelief in themselves. The same God who can graft in a wild branch can graft natural branches in again.
A Kingdom for all nations
God's purpose through Abraham, Israel and the Lord Jesus reaches far beyond one people. The Messiah's rule will extend throughout the earth:
“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.”
Psalm 72:8 • King James Version
This is why the story of Israel matters to every Bible student. It is part of the larger purpose of God: His promises are fulfilled in Christ, and people from every nation are invited to become part of that hope through faith, baptism and a life of obedience.
The three movements together
VISION
HISTORICAL / PROPHETIC EMPHASIS
SPIRITUAL LESSON
Dry bones
Scattering, suffering and apparent hopelessness
Human circumstances do not cancel God's purpose.
Bodies restored
Gathering and restoration to the land
God remembers His promises and acts in history.
Breath and life
Renewal by God's Spirit and recognition of His rule
Physical restoration is not enough; God seeks faithful hearts.
SUMMARY
1
Ezekiel 37 pictures the whole house of Israel.
The vision moves from very dry bones, to restored bodies, to breath and life. God Himself explains the bones as Israel without hope.
2
God promises restoration to the land.
Christadelphians see the modern return of many Jews to the land and the establishment of Israel as significant in relation to these prophecies.
3
The vision also points to spiritual renewal.
Ezekiel 36-37 looks beyond physical restoration to cleansing, a new heart, God's Spirit and recognition of His rule.
4
Zechariah looks forward to Jerusalem and the Messiah.
Christadelphians understand Zechariah 12 and 14 as pointing to future repentance in Israel and the return of Jesus.
5
Romans 11 demands humility from Gentile believers.
The olive-tree picture gives no basis for antisemitism or boasting; Gentiles share the hope only by God's grace and faith.
6
The final purpose is worldwide.
The Kingdom of God will extend to all nations, and the Messiah will have dominion to the ends of the earth.
Chapters to read
Ezekiel 36; Zechariah 12 and 14; Romans 11
LEARN BY HEART • PSALM 72:8
“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.”
Psalm 72:8 • King James Version
Christadelphian Bible Mission
Box CBM, 404 Shaftmoor Lane, Birmingham B28 8SZ, England
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 1