Ezekiel 37:1-13

This Sunday, we jump ahead to the prophets in our Lenten series, “We Wrestle”. We will read the familiar story of the dry bones, Ezekiel 37:1-13.

Scholars have divided The Book of Ezekiel into five parts, corresponding to the events of the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE. In 586, the Babylonians conquered both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, including the city of Jerusalem, which they completely destroyed. Our reading is in part four, which comprises Ezekiel 33:1-39:29.

If you have time, read all of Ezekiel 33:1-39:29, and the introduction to The Book of Ezekiel, if your Bible has one.

What is the mood of the Israelites?

How does God respond in Ezekiel 37:1-13?

Look for echoes of the original creation story’s description of the creation of human beings in Genesis 2:7.

Where do you find messages of rebirth and hope in Ezekiel 37:1-13?