Ezekiel BS No.

23 16 November 2006
With acknowledgements to Chris Wright The Message of Ezekiel, IVP, 2001.
Read Ezekiel chapter 37

Themes: From rigor mortis to resurrection. 37:1-14

From enmity to unity. 37:15-28
Questions
1. Ezekiel 37:1-2. The scene.
When Ezekiel had a similar experience before what did he see? What was the effect
on him? What happened this time? What did he see? List what was remarkable about
these bones.

2. Ezekiel 37:3. The question.

What do you think of the question? What do you think of the answer? Read
Deuteronomy 32:39, 1 Samuel 2:6, Psalm 104:29-30. How do these declarations
contrast with the Egyptian, Babylonian, and other current views of the realm of death?
How much did the experiences of Elijah and Elisha contribute to the subject? See 1
Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:18-37 and 2 Kings 13:20-21. Why did God ask Ezekiel
this question?

3. Ezekiel 37:4-10. The miracle.

How many times did the Sovereign Lord speak? How many times is the word ruah
used in verses1-14? What are the various meanings of ruah? What links are there with
Genesis 2:7. What is the connection between ‘word’ and ‘spirit’? See Psalm 33:6.

4. Ezekiel 37:11-14. The promise.

What is the whole point of this vision? What was the main purpose of Ezekiel’s
message? Does he teach the resurrection of the body? Read Wright pp. 310-311.

From enmity to unity 37:15-28

5. Ezekiel 37:15-28.
What stood in the way of covenant renewal for Israel? How many times does the
word ‘one’ occur in verses 16-24? How does John 10:16 echo Ezekiel 37:24? How
does this passage anticipate Paul’s concept of the ultimate purpose of God for “one
new humanity”? Read Ephesians 2:11-22 and 3:6 – one people under one Lord.