New Life for Dem Dry Bones

The LORD God proclaims to these bones: I am about to put breath in you, and you will live again.

Ezekiel 37:7-8

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.
Toe bone connected to the foot bone.
Foot bone connected to the leg bone...

The imagery of Ezekiel 37 is best known in American culture because of the 19th-century spiritual, "Dem Bones." African American slaves found in Ezekiel a hopeful vision of new life for dead, dry, lifeless bones.

This vision was first given through Ezekiel to the children of Israel who had been decimated in battle and banished from their homeland. They were represented by a valley full of dry bones (37:1-2). Yet the Lord instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, calling them to "hear the LORD's word!" (37:4). This word was a promise of resurrection for the bones. No sooner had Ezekiel delivered the message than the bones began to move, mysteriously being joined together and covered with sinews and flesh (37:7-8).

Yet the flesh-covered bones were not fully alive. So the Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy once again, telling the ruach to breathe life into the dead bodies (37:9). Note: In Hebrew, the word ruach means breath, spirit, and wind. Now filled with ruach, the bodies became alive and stood on their feet.

After giving Ezekiel this vision, the Lord interpreted it for him. It was a picture of what God was about to do with his people. Though they were like "dem dry bones," he would soon reassemble them and breathe his life into them. To the Israelites the Lord promised, "I will put my breath [ruach] in you, and you will live" (37:14).

It's not hard to see why this imagery resonated with slaves in America who expressed their hopes through the spiritual "Dem Bones." Yet, Ezekiel 37 also speaks to us. It reveals a God who brings the dead to life, who can make whole that which is beyond healing. When we want to say, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished" (37:11), the Lord offers the promise of new life. He can take "dem dry bones" of our lives and bring them to life, eternal life, abundant life, through Christ.

Dem bones, dem bones gonna’ walk around
Dem bones, dem bones gonna’ walk around
Dem bones, dem bones gonna’ walk around
Now hear the word of the Lord.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: Have you ever felt like dry bones? Have you ever felt hopeless and defeated? Have you experienced the life-giving power of God? Do you need that power in your life today?

PRAYER: Gracious, almighty God, how I thank you for the promise you gave to your people through Ezekiel. Thank you for giving new life to dead bones, for giving hope when all seems lost. Thank you for the ways I have experienced your life-giving grace. Thank you for how you have been able to breathe your life into my dead bones.

Continue, Lord, to breathe your Spirit into me. Where deadness threatens, may your life be triumphant in me. Where I am broken, heal me. Where I am lost, bring me home. Where I am weak, empower me.

All praise be to you, O God, giver of new life through Christ. Amen.