< Ezekiel 37 >

The return of all Israel to the promised land, after centuries wandering among the nations and persecuted by the Gentiles, is graphically illustrated in the vision of dry bones shown to Ezekiel. The Jews, scattered among the nations, are likened to a valley full of men’s bones vs.1-3Ezekiel 37:1-3XWaiting for response but God causes the men to live, bringing the bones together, adding sinews and flesh, and finally breathing in the breath of life.vs.4-10Ezekiel 37:4-10XWaiting for response Israel cries: “Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts” v.11Ezekiel 37:11XWaiting for response but God promises to restore the nation to life: “I shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD”.v.14Ezekiel 37:14XWaiting for response

Under the rulership of their king, Jesus, Israel will be united as one nation, as represented by Ezekiel holding together two sticks, one for each part of the nation: Ephraim, the ten tribes, and Judah, the two tribes.vs.15-21Ezekiel 37:15-21XWaiting for response “Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: and I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all”.vs.21-22Ezekiel 37:21-22XWaiting for response

Just as there were stages of David's attainment of the throne of Israel, there will be stages in Jesus' attainment of the throne. He had to suffer (as David did) then when he returns he will "save the tents of Judah first" Zechariah 12:7Zechariah 12:7XWaiting for response (as David first reigned over Judah) before joining all Israel together as one kingdom with one king reigning over them all (just as David did).

The kingdom of God will be re-established with Jesus reigning on David’s throne, which is the throne of the LORD. Israel will then dwell in the land for ever and observe God’s laws; and the Gentiles will know it is the LORD who has sanctified Israel.vs.23-28Ezekiel 37:23-28XWaiting for response The gospel preached by Jesus and his apostles was “the gospel of the kingdom of God” - the good news of the restoration of God’s kingdom in Israel - and those who believe this gospel have a glorious hope for the future, being able to look forward to the fulfilment of these prophecies when they will live and reign with Jesus in God’s kingdom.