September 9 - Ezekiel 37-39
Today, we come to one of the most interesting passages in the entire Bible. The reason it is so interesting is that people like to speculate on when all of this will happen. I don't think it is helpful to concentrate on the time, myself. I believe it is enough to realize that God has a plan for Israel, and He will work it all out just as He says here.
Chapter 37 is Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones, which he sees come to life and then become a mighty army. We are told that this represents Israel. It is so meaningful, if we keep in mind that these people had seen many dry bones of their people, because of the Babylonian conquest and exile. Now, God was telling them that He would restore the people and even bring all 12 tribes back together in the Land. This is a huge blessing from God. Then, Ezekiel is told that a descendant of David would rule over them again. That is our clue that it is speaking of Jesus after His second coming, when He will reign from Jerusalem. It also makes reference to the place of worship, which is the Temple that will be rebuilt. These things have not happened yet, but we can be sure that they will happen, because God has already restored the country of Israel, and millions of Jews have returned to the Land.
The last two chapters tell of a war against Israel that will happen some time in the future. Most people think it is speaking in symbolic terms about the Antichrist. He will try to destroy Israel, but God will protect them, and He will destroy the opposing armies, so completely that it will take 7 months to bury the dead. That will be a huge battle. Some people feel that it is the last battle of Armageddon, but others feel it is a battle before that. However, the main lesson is that God will protect the Jews from their enemies, and that at that time they will have turned to the Lord completely. His Spirit will be poured out on them. It is so wonderful to be able to see God working on these things today, even though we don't know when they will happen.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 40-42.
Chapter 37 is Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones, which he sees come to life and then become a mighty army. We are told that this represents Israel. It is so meaningful, if we keep in mind that these people had seen many dry bones of their people, because of the Babylonian conquest and exile. Now, God was telling them that He would restore the people and even bring all 12 tribes back together in the Land. This is a huge blessing from God. Then, Ezekiel is told that a descendant of David would rule over them again. That is our clue that it is speaking of Jesus after His second coming, when He will reign from Jerusalem. It also makes reference to the place of worship, which is the Temple that will be rebuilt. These things have not happened yet, but we can be sure that they will happen, because God has already restored the country of Israel, and millions of Jews have returned to the Land.
The last two chapters tell of a war against Israel that will happen some time in the future. Most people think it is speaking in symbolic terms about the Antichrist. He will try to destroy Israel, but God will protect them, and He will destroy the opposing armies, so completely that it will take 7 months to bury the dead. That will be a huge battle. Some people feel that it is the last battle of Armageddon, but others feel it is a battle before that. However, the main lesson is that God will protect the Jews from their enemies, and that at that time they will have turned to the Lord completely. His Spirit will be poured out on them. It is so wonderful to be able to see God working on these things today, even though we don't know when they will happen.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezekiel 40-42.