TOMS: Ezekiel 37-39

For an introduction to this series, click here.

Oct. 12, 2006

Chapter 37 is the ever-popular "valley of dry bones" chapter. I've heard a couple of different versions of the song, but basically they all have to do with "your foot bone connected to your ankle bone" and so on. I believe this song may be an old Negro spiritual, but honestly it has nothing to do with the text. If you want a good song about this chapter, I suggest "Valley of Dry Bones" by Michael Card. It is true to the text and it has a very interesting rhythm that you can't get out of your head. 

Anyway, this passage is one of the great promises for the future of Israel. It is a promise that the dead bones of Israel will rise again to be blessed by God. As I read it tonight, it almost seemed like a promise to the believers living at that time. (Paul talks about the difference between the Jewish race and Jews who are truly believers. Belief in and acceptance by God has always required faith.) It seemed to say that the Jews who were following the Lord at that time should take heart because one day they will be raised up to live in Israel in a perfect kingdom. I don't know if that's the right interpretation or not, but it is certainly true that those hearing this word who had faith in God are very much alive today and will be alive when Christ establishes His kingdom, whether that be the Millennial kingdom or the eternal kingdom. So that's not really too much of a disservice to the text. Whether this passage is teaching that specifically or teaching in general that the Jews will one day be blessed by God again I leave to smarter people than I. It certainly teaches the latter.

Chapters 38-39 are a prophecy against Gog and Magog. Many dispensationalists teach that this prophecy refers to an invasion of Israel by an alliance led by Russia at the beginning of the Tribulation. However, we find terms "Gog and Magog" repeated in Revelation 20, referring to a rebellion of nearly all the people of the earth against Christ and the Jews at the end of the Millennium. I think this is the best place to peg this prophecy. Sadly the vast majority of people who will have lived all of their lives in a paradise under the reign of Christ will rebel against Him, just like unbelievers of all times. Christ will crush all outward attempts of rebellion during His reign, but not even He can erase the stain of sin on the faithless heart of man. When Satan tempts them - remember Satan will be bound during the kingdom - they will jump at the chance to rebel against Jesus. 

I need to stop. The Cardinals have lost and it's time for bed.