The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.

He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.
I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’

” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ”

So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ” – Ezekiel 37:1-14

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Dry Bones Ballad
By Jennifer Kane

In a valley vast and low,
Where dry bones lay in endless row,
The hand of God, so mighty, came
And set Ezekiel midst the same.

He walked among the scattered bones,
All brittle, lifeless, dry as stones,
And heard the voice of Heaven’s throne:
“Can these bones live, O mortal one?”

The prophet answered, trembling sore,
“O Sovereign Lord, You know for sure.”
Then God proclaimed with power and might,
“Speak to these bones, let them take flight.

Prophesy to lifeless clay,
Command them rise to live this day.
I’ll send My breath, My Spirit’s life,
And flesh will clothe them in their strife.”

Ezekiel spoke the holy word,
And then a rattling sound was heard.
The bones came forth, they stood as men,
But breath had not yet filled them then.

Once more the Lord’s voice reached the air,
“Call to the winds from everywhere!
O breath of life, come enter in,
Let these who’ve fallen rise again!”

The prophet called, the wind obeyed,
And breath in lifeless frames was laid.
They stood, a mighty army bold,
The Spirit of the Lord had told.

“These bones,” said God, “are Israel’s cry,
They say, ‘Our hope is doomed to die.’
But I will open graves of stone,
And bring you back unto your home.

My Spirit will breathe life again,
I’ll raise you from the pit of sin.
Then all will know, with hearts made pure,
I am the Lord, forever sure.”

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In this passage, Ezekiel is led by God into a valley filled with dry bones, representing a lifeless, hopeless situation. Yet through the power of God’s Word and Spirit, these bones are restored to life, symbolizing God’s power to bring hope and resurrection where there seems to be only death and despair.

The poem beautifully mirrors the vision of Ezekiel. We see the tension between what is seen—the dry, scattered bones—and the hope that God’s word offers. The bones, brittle and forgotten, seem beyond help. But the moment God’s Spirit moves, they come to life as a powerful army. The message is clear: no situation is too dead for God to revive. His Spirit brings renewal, even when we feel dry, broken, or lost.

On Halloween, a day when images of death, skeletons, and darkness are often highlighted, this message of life out of death stands as a powerful contrast. As Christians, we don’t need to fear death or darkness because we serve the God who turns dry bones into living beings. Just as He raised the dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision, He promises to raise us up from spiritual death, bringing us to new life through Jesus.

Take a moment to reflect on areas in your life where you feel dry or hopeless. Ask God to breathe new life into those places. Just as Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones, speak God’s promises over your situation. Trust in His power to bring life, even when you see only death.

On this Halloween, let’s remember the God of new life, who has overcome the grave and promises us eternal life. We walk in His light, not in the shadows of fear. God bless you and yours today, and fear not!

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Prayer:

Sovereign Lord, You are the God of life, and Your power knows no bounds. Just as You breathed life into dry bones, breathe new life into the places in our lives that feel hopeless or lost. Lift us out of the valleys of despair and renew us with Your Spirit. Teach us to trust in Your promises, even when we can only see dryness around us.

Lord, on this day, when darkness and death are often celebrated, help us to focus on Your light and resurrection power. Give us courage to face our struggles, knowing that You are with us, ready to restore and strengthen. Thank You for being our Hope, our Savior, and our Life-Giver. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

October 31, 2024