Ezekiel 36-37 – the word of prophecy
The word of prophecy spoken to Ezekiel in the Babylonian captivity is relevant to the current situation in Ukraine: “And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned.” (36:23) “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. … I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. …you shall be My people, and I will be your God. … Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. … Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.” (v. 25-36)
Soon afterwards, God gives the prophet Ezekiel this vision: a valley full of dry bones. God asks him: “Can these bones live?” (37:3) The prophet knows that according to natural laws they cannot live but he also knows that with God nothing will be impossible because He is almighty. So he answers: “O Lord God, You know.” God commissions him: “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!’” To prophesy means to speak in the authority of the Most High God. The prophet is aware that he is exposed to doubt arising through reason and feelings. But after making the first step of faith he confesses: “So I prophesied as I was commanded.” (v. 7) True prophecy is connected with the obedience of faith. He said nothing more or less. The prophet speaks in the authority of God: “Ko amar Adonai Yahweh Elohim” (Thus says the Lord God). The bones symbolize the Old-Testament Church – Israel – which lost God’s Spirit. The believers are alive physically but dead spiritually. This is also a picture of the current situation in Ukraine. God’s Word says: “Surely I (the Lord) will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.” So the Giver of life is the Almighty God. And how does He give life? By putting His Spirit within the spiritually dead. These people then become aware of their sins or offences and repent. This is verse 36:31b in practice.
What is the response to the prophetic word? “And as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling.” This is the contrary of the false peace of dead Christianity. But although the conditions for life have already been created through the word of prophecy, the Spirit has not yet entered. So the Lord commands the prophet to prophesy again, now not to the bones any more but to the Spirit Himself. He is called to speak again in the authority of God: “Ko amar Adonai Yahweh Elohim: Come from the four winds, O Spirit, and breathe on these slain, that they may live!” (v. 9) What was the result? “And the Spirit came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.” (v. 10)
Prophesy to the Spirit in prayer like the prophet Ezekiel, that Ukraine, Russia and Belarus may be raised to life.
Download: Ezekiel 36-37 – the word of prophecy
