TEXT:  Ezekiel 37:15-19

INTRODUCTION:

A.  UNDERSTANDING PROPHECY CAN BE DIFFICULT.

          1.  Beyond the understanding of the prophet (1 Pet. 1:10-12;  Eph. 3:3-5).

          2.  We depend of the revealing of that mystery by inspired men (1 Pet. 1:12;  Eph. 3:5).

B.  SOME PROPHECIES ARE EASY.

          1.  Much detail – meaning given in the vision (Isa. 44).

          2.  An immediate fulfillment (Jer.).

          3.  “This is that …” (Acts 2:16-17;  1 Pet. 1:12).

          4.  Doesn’t stop profiteers from twisting anyway (2 Pet. 3:15-16).

C.  WHAT IS THE MEANING OF Ezekiel 37?

I.  BACKGROUND.

A.  BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY.

B.  LOSS OF HOPE è THE LAND OF DEATH.

II.  FIRST ORACLE – VISION OF DRY BONES (Ezek. 37:1-14).

A.  PARALLELS Ezra 1:1-4.

B.  NOT A ZOMBIE ARMY – A RESURRECTED ARMY.

C.  THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD.

          1.  vs. 4, 9.  “Prophecy over these bones … unto the wind.”

          2.  vs. 5, 9.  “Thus saith Jehovah.”

D.  RETURN FROM THE DEAD (vs. 12).

          1.  God’s word vindicated (vs. 13).  “… Ye Shall Know …”

          2.  In their own land (vs. 14).

          3.  The whole house of Israel (vs. 11).

          4.  No earthly king in restoration (Hos. 13:9-14).

III.  SECOND ORACLE – THE TWO STICKS (Ezek. 37:15-27).

A.  EZEKIEL AND THE TWO STICKS (vs. 15-17).

          1.  Write on one “For Judah, and for the children of Israel and his companion.”

          2.  On the other “For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim …” etc. (vs. 16).

          3.  Join them so they become as one (vs. 17).

B.  WHAT DOES THIS SIGNIFY?

          1.  A misconception à 2 Books ß FALSE with deceitful intent.

          2.  The answer GOD gave Ezekiel (vs. 20-23).

                   a.  All Israel brought home (vs. 21).

                   b.  Israel divided under Rehoboam (1 Kings 12).

                   c.  Reunion – One nation (vs. 22).

                   d.  One king over all (vs. 22).

                   e.  No idols or detestable things – cleansed by God.

                   f.  “… they will be my people, and I will be their God” (vs. 23).

C.  NEW TESTAMENT APPLICATIONS:

          1.  vs. 24.  One king, David (Isa. 9:6-7;  Luke 1:31-33).

          2.  vs. 24.  One shepherd (Ezek. 34:23;  Heb. 13:20;  John 10:14).

          3.  vs. 26:  Covenant of Peace (Eph. 2:13-18;  Zech. 6:13).

          4.  vs. 26.  Everlasting Covenant (Isa. 55:3;  Acts 13:32-34;  Jer. 31:31-34; 

                   Heb. 8:6-13;  13:20).

          5.  vs. 26-27.  My tabernacle (2 Cor. 6:16-18).

          6.  vs. 23, 27.  My people (Hos. 1:10; 2:23; 1 Pet. 2:10;  Heb. 8:10;  Rom. 9:24-26).

CONCLUSION:

A.  BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY WAS LIKE A DEATH SENTENCE FOR JUDAH.

B.  A PHYSICAL RETURN IS PROMISED.

C.  THE SPIRITUAL RESTORATION IS SEEN IN THE COMING OF JESUS.

D.  DEATH IS THE LOT OF US ALL.

          1.  There will be a resurrection (John 5:28-29).

          2.  A full restoration for us involves our redemption (Matt. 7:13-14)

          3.  What will be the difference? (Matt. 7:21).