Apr 2 – 5 Lent
Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Valley of Dry Bones

Background: The prophet Ezekiel is a major prophet in Israel’s existence. He is a member of the priestly line who was active in the span from 593-571 BCE – the years around Jerusalem’s fall to the Babylonians. Ezekiel offered words of judgment and consolation as necessary to help Israel better understand their relationship with God.

Theme: While this passage is difficult to place chronologically it is reasonable to believe the prophetic message was delivered after Jerusalem had fallen. This passage is rich with imagery of destruction and improper treatment of the dead – a heresy in the ancient Near East. In this passage it is remarkable that the word used for breath is often associated with the words wind or spirit.

Questions to Ponder:
* Please read Ezekiel 37:1-14.
* Briefly describe the setting of this passage. What has happened leading up to this passage? Where does this passage take place?
* Do you think Ezekiel is physically transported in the opening vision or might it simply be a dream of an interaction with God or a spirit of God? If an actual transportation as opposed to simply a dream how would that impact the power of the message?
* What do you find disturbing, if anything, about the imagery of a valley filled with dry bones?
* Whose bones do you think Ezekiel sees in the valley? Might they be the remains of those killed in battle or someone else?
* Do you think God’s question to Ezekiel is simply rhetorical?
* How do you judge Ezekiel’s response to God’s question about making the bones live?
* In verse 2 there is the phrase, “…led me around them…” What connotation does that phrase have and what is the impact on the prophet for being led around the bones in the valley?
* What do you think the metaphor “the hand of the Lord” might signify to the Jews?
* How might the metaphor “the hand of the Lord” be related to the metaphor “the spirit of the Lord”? What might the difference mean for the people the prophet was speaking to?
* Some claim this passage is a means to recount the story of the Exodus from Egypt to a society that had forgotten the story. Compare this passage to the story of the Exodus. What are the differences between the exodus from exile described by Ezekiel and the actual exodus from Egypt? What might the differences signify?
* Jews, and later Christians, placed an emphasis on having an entire body present for the afterlife. How does the presence of bones strewn about impact the belief that a body must be intact for the afterlife to be fulfilled? How might the horrific presence of uncovered, severed, long uncared for bones impact the people of Ezekiel’s time?
* How might this passage be a source of courage and consolation for the Israelites who had been or who will ultimately be placed in exile? How might this passage bring consolation to families that have loved ones die in exile or separated from the promise land?