Whatever on earth was God telling Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones? Now here, in chapter 37, is a strange sight – dry lifeless bones scattered randomly across the valley floor. Not skeletons, mind you, but hopelessly desiccated bones. Then God spoke, and Ezekiel prophesied to those bones. And something happened. They came together, “bone to his bone”. And then another prophecy. The breath of God breathed into those bones and they “came to life and stood up on their feet – a vast army”. (Ezekiel 37:10).
Yes, Ezekiel spoke of the restoration of the nation of Israel, which seemed impossible at that time. But there is also a lesson for us, His Church. Scattered bones on their own are useless, nonfunctional. We can see that before the breath of God could enter them, they had to come together in functional order. Christianity is unique – it’s a “group” thing, it’s the Body of Christ in sync, moving in the Unity of the Spirit. The New Testament is replete with “group” theology- a Body, a Building, a Bride. It just doesn’t work for the Lone Ranger.
“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies (plural) as a living sacrifice (singular), holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1).