The spiritual song “Dem Bones,” composed by James Weldon Johnson and his brother J. Rosamond Johnson in the early 20th century, has likely brought more recognition to Ezekiel 37 than any other work. You probably recognize some of the lyrics.
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones,
Now hear the word of the Lord.
This is the vision of the dry bones God gave Ezekiel while he was in Babylonian exile.
The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.
He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry.
He said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.”
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.
I will lay sinews on you and will cause flesh to come upon you and cover you with skin and my Spirit in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 37:1-6).
Few things are more unsettling than standing in a valley that is completely dry—filled with bones, countless bones. In the midst of this troubling scene, God asks the prophet, “Can these bones live?”
The prophet responds with what sounds like a prayer: “O Lord, only You know.” In essence, he is acknowledging, “God, only You have the power to bring these bones to life.”
Modern Day Exiles
Reflecting on exiles in the 5th century BC is one thing, but considering exiles in 2024 is an entirely different matter. Here are some findings I came across online.
As of December 2024, the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, and Venezuela have led to significant displacement of populations. Here’s an overview of the current situation:
(1) Ukraine:
- Refugees: Over 6 million Ukrainians have sought refuge across Europe since the conflict began in February 2022. The majority have fled to neighboring countries such as Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
- Internally Displaced Persons: By late May 2022, approximately 8 million individuals were displaced within Ukraine.
(2) Sudan:
- Internally Displaced Persons: The conflict that erupted in April 2023 has resulted in over 10.7 million people being internally displaced within Sudan. Children under 18 constitute about 55% of this displaced population.
- Refugees: An estimated 1.1 million Sudanese have fled to neighboring countries, seeking safety from the ongoing
(3) Venezuela:
- Displaced Persons: The political and economic crisis in Venezuela has led to the displacement of over 7 million people, making it one of the largest displacement situations globally. Many have sought refuge in neighboring countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Imagine with me for a moment. Picture the utter hopelessness of people living under blue tarps, struggling with unsanitary water and little to no food.
Now, envision God leading you into the wilderness and saying, “I know it feels like everything around you is dry and barren, but I’m going to restore life to your situation.”
How would it feel to hear those words? God assured Ezekiel that He would bring the exiles of Israel back to their land and establish them there.
As we reflect on the world we live in today, one powerful action we can take is to pray. We can ask God to provide for those in need and daily lift up the regions of our world that are ravaged by war and suffering.
Let us pray specifically for His care and protection over the most vulnerable members of society.
YouTube Discussion:
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
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