CHAP. XXXVII .
|| ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am
By a vision of the resurrection of dry bones, the restoration of the LORD. Judah and Israel from their hopeless condition is prefigured and predicted, 1-14. The reunion of Judah and Israel is pre- dicted, by the uniting of two sticks in the prophet's hand, 15
22. The blessings of their union under Christ their King,
23-28.
THE THE hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley, which was full of bones ,
2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open *valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
3 And he said unto me, Son of man,
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin
covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GoD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and
dcan these bones live? And I answered, Obreathe upon these slain, that they may Lord God, thou knowest.
4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones, Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and
a 1:3. 3:14,22. 33:22. 40:1. Rev. f 11,15,16. Num. 20:8. 1 Kings 1:10. 13:2. Matt. 21:21. John 2:5. b 8:3. 11:24. 1 Kings 18:12.2g 36:1. Is. 26:19. 42:18. Jer. Kings 2:16. Acts 8:39. 22:29. Mic. 6:2. John 5:25, 28,29.
Or, champaign . Deut. 11:30.
c 11. Ps. 141:7.
d John 6:5,6.
e Deut. 32:39. 1 Sam. 2:6. John
5:21. Acts 26:8. Rom. 4:17. 2 Cor. 1:9,10. Heb. 11:19.
h 9,14. Gen. 2:7. 30. John 20:22. Eph. 2:5. 18-10.
NOTES.
Ps. 104:29, Rom. 8:2.
CHAP. XXXVII. V.1-10. The predictions of the preceding chapter, taken in their fullest
live.
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel
behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
k 14. 6:7,13. 7:4,9. 11:10,12. 20:n 5,14. Cant. 4:16. John 3:8. 38. 28:22-26. 32:15. 34:27, o Ps. 104:30. Rev. 11:11. 20: 35:9,12,15. 38:23. 39:6,22,28. 4,5. Deut. 29:6. 1 Kings 20:28, Is. 49:23. Joel 2:27. 3:17.
1 Jer. 13:5-7. 26:8. Acts 4:19. 5:20-29.
m1 Kings 19:11-13. Acts 2: 2,37. 16:26-29. † Or, breath
p 16,19. 36:10. 39:25. Jer. 31: 1. 33:24-26. Hos. 1:11. Rom. 11:26.
q1-8. Num. 17:12,13. Ps. 77:7-9. 141:7. Is. 40:27. 4 14. Jer. 2:25.
started no objections, but obeyed his orders. ( Marg . Ref.f -k.-Note, John 2:1-5, v. 5.) And while he was speaking, he seemed, in vis
sense, seemed very unlikely, and almost im-ion, to hear a noise, and to see a great commo
possible, to be fulfilled, considering the ruined and dispersed state of Judah and Israel. The prophet was therefore shewn in a vision, by what power and in what way they would be performed. Under the influence of the prophetic Spirit, he was carried in a vision "into the midst of a valley" full of human bones: like those places in which fierce battles had been fought and very great multitudes slain, who had been left unburied till the flesh was all consumed, and the bones were dried, divided, and scattered about. ( Marg . and Marg .
Ref . a-c.) When he had gone round and carefully surveyed these bones, and found them "very many and very dry; the marrow from within, as well as the flesh from without being utterly wasted; God inquired of him, "Can these dry bones live?" To which he answered with a proper mixture of humility and faith, "O Lord God, thou knowest." No created power could restore them to life: but if God should please to put forth his power, they might be raised from the dead and live. live. ( Marg . ( M Ref . d, e.-Notes, Matt . 22:23-33, v. 29. John 3:3-5. 5:28,29. Acts 26:4-8, v . 8.
Heb . 11:1719.)-The Lord then ordered him "to prophesy upon these bones," to predict their resurrection, to call upon them to hear his word, and to speak over them the promises that follow, oncerning their being reunited, and restored to life, that they might know his power and Godhead. This would appear even a more hopeless service, than to prophesy 'the resto'ration of Israel' to their ancient prosperity, or to preach to the most hardened sinners: yet he
tion among the bones; for behold, they were, so to speak, every one in quest of its kindred bone, and, under the divine direction and influence, each speedily found its proper place, and was jointed to those bones which belonged to the same body, till the whole were formed into a vast number of complete skeletons: and then sinews, flesh, and skin covered them, and they became entire human bodies, yet without life.
The prophet was next ordered to "prophesy to the wind," and to command it, in the name of the Lord God, to blow from the four quarters of the heaven upon these slain men, that they might live: and while he obeyed his orders, they were restored to life, and he was surrounded with a very large army. "The wind" seems to have been the emblem of the Spirit of God, the Author and Giver of life: and the same original word signifies both wind , breath , and the Spirit .
This therefore represented the prophet's calling upon God by his Spirit to quicken these dead bodies, that by his power they might become living men. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . 1-o.- Notes , 11-14. Gen. 2:7. 1 Kings 19:11-14. Ps . 104:27-30. Cant . 4:16. John 3:7,8. 20:19-23, v. 22. Rom . 8:1,2,,2, ໑. 2,10,11.) The whole vision was an instructive emblem of the power of God operating by means, which of themselves must be entirely inefficacious, and thus producing most stupendous is effects.
V. 11. The dry bones, indeed, aptly represented the ruined and desperate condition of both Israel and Judah: yet the language which the Jews employed was that of unbelief min
12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, * and bring you into the land of Israel.
13 And tye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
14 And "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. [Practical Observations.]
15 The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, " For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, a For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17 And join them one to another into
21. Is. 26:19. 66:14. Hos. 6: 2. 13:14.
$25. 28:25. 36:24. Ezra 1:2. Am. 9:14,15.
16. 16:62. Ps. 126:2,3.
9. 11:19. 36:27. 39:29. 1s. 32: 15. Joel 2:28,29. Zech. 12: 10. Acts 2:16,17. Rom. 8:2, 11. 1 Cor. 15:45. Tit. 3:5,6.
x 17:24. 22:14. 36:36. y Num. 17:2,3.
z 2 Chr. 10:17. 11:13-17. 15:9. 30:11--18.
a1 Kings 12:16-20. 2 Chr. 10: 19.
b 22-24. 19. 11:13. Jer. 50:4. Hos. 1:11. Zeph. 3.9.
gled with impatience; second causes seemed to give them no prospect of deliverance; and they overlooked the great first Cause of all: they therefore considered the state of the nation to be as desperate as that of the dry bones. ( Marg . Ref . Notes, 33:10. Num. 17:12,13. Is . 40:27-31. Jer . 2:25.)
V. 12-14. When Cyrus issued his procla- || mation, the Lord, as it were, opened the graves of the house of Israel; and when he stirred up their spirits to embrace the proffered liberty, he put his Spirit into them, that they might live: and their re-establishment in their own land evinced the truth of God in the prediction, and his power in its accomplishment. (Marg. Ref .
Ezra 1:1-6.)-'That principle of life expressed by breath or spirit, ver . 9, not 'excluding that new Spirit of grace, which God 'will at that time plentifully bestow upon them. (11:19. 36:26,27.) The principle of grace is 'often spoken of as a higher principle of life, 'and the earnest of our heavenly happiness. 'Rom. 8:11. 1 Cor . 6:17. 15:45. Lowth . The vision was evidently intended, in its primary meaning, to encourage the desponding Jews; and to predict both their restoration after the captivity, and also the recovery of Judah and Israel from their present long continued dispersions.
But it was also a clear intimation of the resurrection of the dead; and it likewise represents the power and grace of God in the conversion of the most hopeless sinners to himself. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Is . 26:19. 66:10-14. Hos . 6:1-3. 13:14. Luke 15:22-24, v. 24. John 5:24-29. Rom . 8:10,11. 11:11—15, v . 15. 1 Cor . 15 :45-49. Eph . 2:4-10, vv . 4,5. Rev. 11:7-12, v . 11. 20:4-6,11-15.)
V. 15-19. The prophet was next ordered to take two sticks, or small pieces of wood; and to signify by writing on each, that the one was the emblem of Judah, and those of the
one stick, and they shall become one in thine hand.
18 And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Gon; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
20 And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.
21 And say unto them, 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:
22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; band one King shall be King to them all:
с 12:9. 17:12. 20:49. 24.19.
d 16,17. 1 Chr. 9.1-3. Zech. 10:6. Eph. 2:13,14. Col. 3:11. e 12:3. Num. 17:6-9. Hos. 12:10.
f 34:13. 36:24. 39:25. Dent. 30: 3,4. Is. 11:11,&c. 27:12,13. 43: 6. 49:12. Jer. 16:15. 23:3,8. 29:14. 30:3,10,18.31:8-10.32: 37. 33:7,11. 50:19. Am. 9:14,
15. Ob. 17-21. Mic. 7:11,12. g Is. 11:13. Jer. 3:18. 32:39. 50:4. Hos. 1:11. Eph. 2:19
-22.
h 24. 34:23,24. Gen. 49:10. Ps. 2:6,12. 72:1,8. Js. 9:6,7. Jer. 23:5,6. 33:14-17,26. Hos. S: 4,5. Luke 1:32,33, Rev. 11: 15.
other tribes who had joined themselves unto them under the government of the house of David; and that the other was the emblem of the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and the several tribes which formed the kingdom of Israel. These he was directed to join together, that they might become one stick in his hand. When he did this before the people, they would conclude that he had some prophetic meaning in it, and inquire whether he would not inform them of it: and he was ordered to shew them, that the Lord would unite the two kingdoms by his power, and in consequence of their union with him.
Their disunion had greatly weakened them, and their furious contests had made immense havoc of both; and thus they became a prey to their common enemies. But it was here predicted, that they should be united and established together in the service and favor of God. This was partially accomplished after the Babylonish captivity; when all the Israelites, who returned with the Jews from Babylon, settled under the same government and formed with them one nation. But it is highly probable, or indeed certain, that there will hereafter be a far more remarkable accomplishment of it.
It may also be considered as an emblem of the union of the Jews, Israelites, Samaritans, and Gentiles in the church of Christ, being all made one by their union with him, their common Head; and an intimation of a more entire harmony among professing Christians, than has yet taken place. (Marg. Ref . Notes , 20-22. Num . 17:2-5. 2 Chr . 13:13–22. Is . 11:11—16, v . 13. Jer . 50:4— 6. Hos . 3:4,5. Zech. 11:7-14.)-‘Ezekiel fore'told many things by signs; and the Jews were 'very inquisitive into the meaning of them.
'though sometimes their curiosity proceeded 'rather from a secret contempt of the prophet 'and his predictions, than a real desire of in ther shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.
and they shall be no more two nations, nei- || shall dwell therein, even they, and their
23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall 1 they be my people, and I will be their God. 24 And David my servant shall be King over them; and they all shall have one Shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do thein.
25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they
'formation. (12:9. 17:12. 20:49. 24:19.') Lowth. V. 20-22. Thou shalt place the sticks or 'rods thus joined together before their eyes, as 'a visible token or pledge of the truth of what
children, and their children's children for ever: 'and my servant David shall be their Prince for ever.
26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply thens, " and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
28 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do a sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them, for evermore. 18. 60:21. 66:22. Joel 3:20.
Am.
Zech. 14:11.
Zeph. 3:14,15.
r 24. Is. 9:6,7. Dan. 2:44,45. Zech. 6:12,13. John 12:34. Heb. 7:2,21.
s 34:25. Gen. 17:7. 2 Sam. 23: 5. Ps. 39:3,4. Is. 55.3. 59:20, 21. Jer. 32:40. Hos. 2:1823. Heb. 13:20,21.
t 36:10,37. Is. 27:6. 49:21. Jer. 30:19. 31:27. Zech. 8:4,5. Heb. 6:14.
u 11:16. 43:7. 45:1, &c. Lev.
26:11,12. 1 Kings 8:20,21. Ps 68:18. Zech. 2:5, 2 Cor. 6:16. x John 1:14. Col. 2:9,10. Rev. 21:3,22.
y 23. 11:20. 14:11. 36:28. Lev. 26:12. Hos. 2:23.
z 36:23,36, 38:23. 39:7,23. Ps. 79:10. 102:15. 126:2. Rom. 11: 15.
a 20:12. Ex. 31:13. Lev. 20: 8. 27:8. John 17:17-19.1 Cor. 1:30. Eph. 5:26. 1 Thes. 5:23.
V. 26, 27. God will be reconciled to them 'through Christ, and admit them into that 'covenant of peace, of which he is the Media'tor. Eph . 2:14. Lowth .
I enjoin thee to speak to them in the following Set , &c. (26) This signifies, that the Lord
'words.' Lowth . It is plain, that the times subsequent to the coming of the Messiah were here especially intended: for it was promised, that both Jews and Israelites should be gathered into their own land, and become one nation under one King, and that that King should be David: (24) but they were never governed, as one nation, by any king, to whom the name of David could properly be given, from the time of the captivity to the coming of Christ, who is several times called David. (See on Note , 34:23-31 , υυ . 23,24. - Marg . Ref . Note , 15-19. Gen. 49:10 . )
oth justified
V. 23. The Lord here promised, that he would deliver Israel from all the places, where they had been living in sin; and bring them into his church as true believers, both justified and sanctified; that they might be his people, and he the Object of their worship and the Source of their felicity. (Marg. Ref. Notes,
20:40-44. 36:25-31. Jer . 30:22.)
Transgressions.] 'This expression compre'hends in it, their being touched with a hearty 'compunction, for their great sin of rejecting 'and crucifying the Messias, their King and 'Savior.' Lowth . ( Note , Zech . 12:9-14, v . 10.) V. 24. Marg . Ref . Notes , 20-22,25.34:23
-31. Hos . 1:11. 3:4,5. Mic . 2:12,13. 5:2-4.
V. 25. This cannot possibly be interpreted of any events, which took place before the coming of Christ: and after his coming, the Jews were soon driven from their own land, and have never regained possession of it. Yet the language is so expressive, that it must mean that the Jews and Israelites shall dwell in Canaan under the rule of David, or Christ, from the time predicted, throughout all generations to the end of the world. Events yet in futurity will more fully elucidate the prophecy, to those who shall witness its accomplishment. Marg . Ref . Notes , 20-24. 28:24-26.)
would establish his true religion and accepted worship, (of which the sanctuary had been so long the centre,) in Israel, when reinstated in the promised land. - My tabernacle . (27) 'Here 'he promises new and more valuable tokens of his presence among them, by the graces of his 'holy Spirit, and the efficacy of his word and 'sacraments. (2 Cor . 6:16.)' Lowth . ( Marg . Ref . -Notes , 23. 11:17-20. 34:23-31, v . 25. 48:3035. 2 Sam . 23:5. Is . 55:1-3. Jer . 30:22. 31:3134.32:39-41.50:2,3. Hos . 2:18-20. 2 Cor . 6: 14-18. Heb . 13:20,21.)
V. 28. The nations of the earth shall witness God's peculiar favor to Israel, and powerful interposition in behalf of that nation, according to his promise: and this will be the means of bringing ing many of them to believe the scriptures, and to embrace Christianity. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 36:20-24.39:23-29. Rom . 11:11 -15,25-32.
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-14.
The almighty power of God is expressly engaged to perform his whole word; rd; and therefore our objections tions and doubts, arising from difficulties or apparent impossibilities, are the offspring of ignorance and unbelief. That omnipotent word, which once spake this fair creation into existence, and still upholds it; and which shall hereafter call forth from their graves the innumerable millions of the dead, to a life of endless happiness or misery; must be sufficient to remove all obstacles, and effect all purposes, that form a part of the divine plan. On this power ministers ought absolutely to depend, when they preach the gospel: for the state of those, who are dead in sin and enmity against God, slaves to Satan and their own lusts, and habituated to various evils, is as desperate in itself, and they are as much without strength, without either will or power
from those who before "were dead in trespasses and sins." Let us also remember, that the same power is equally engaged to raise the church from her lowest depressions, and our souls from the deepest discouragements; and to perform all that for us and ours, which is truly good for us. Our part is to use proper means, to wait and pray, and not to yield to discouragement, because of difficulties, as if our hope was lost, or we were cut off, when our trials are heavy, and our prospects gloomy. But let us look to him, who will at last open our graves and bring us forth to judgment, that he may now deliver us from sin, and put his Spirit within us, and "keep us by his power through faith unto salvation:" then we shall at last come forth victorious from all our conflicts, and for ever bless God for our present sharpest tribulations.
V. 15-28.