Ezekiel

Ezekiel looked on in stunned disbelief. A valley strewn with bones — dry white dismembered bones.

The form and life they had once supported were a long time dead.

“CAN THESE BONES LIVE?” The question was directed to the prophet. Everything natural and reasonable argued in favor of a negative answer. But this was neither a natural nor reasonable scene. God, himself, had posed the question of His perplexed prophet. His answer, “Thou knowest (Lord).”

What a simple, safe and appropriate response to the omnipotent God.

The valley of dry bones symbolized the nation, Israel dispersed dead decayed — among the nations of the world.

In May, 1948, defying both the natural and reasonable, Israel became a living reality. During the following thirty years little David fought Goliath on four separate occasions. Today, Israel stands isolated and surrounded with few to pity and even fewer to help. Ironically, the nations of the world do not seem to have the backbone to stand up for the morally right, but submit to the politically expedient. Under such adverse circumstances the question arises,

‘”CAN THESE BONES LIVE?”

Hear God’s prophet respond, “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 its bone.

“And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered hem above, but there was no breath in them.

“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 breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

“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” (Ezek. 37:7-10).

Can you hear the noise — can you hear the shaking — can you hear it above the almost deafening clamor of the world?

“THE BONES WILL LIVE AGAIN,”’

NATIONALLY

AND

SPIRITUALLY.

Israel’s extremity marks God’s opportunity. Metaphorically, God is rolling up His sleeves and going to work on Israel’s behalf. What His mouth has spoken, His right arm will perform.

I’m neither begging nor pleading, exhorting nor encouraging — but challenging — challenging you to stand with Israel. And in so doing, I believe, stand with God that in some exciting, mysterious, inexplicable way we will not only share the Good News with world Jewry, but play apart in the resurrection of the “dry bones”.

Features

Antique fountain pen on parchment.

From the Editor Jul/Aug 2025

Ebenezer Scrooge hated Christmas. The protagonist of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol eschewed Yuletide cheer to maximize his profits by oppressing his...

‘I Will Bless You’

Not all Jewish people are wealthy. But their collective success is undeniable—and here’s why. I was just getting settled in my dorm room on my move-in day on the campus...

The Early Years

A look at Paul’s background as a Jew, a Roman, and a Pharisee. Beshert is a Yiddish word meaning “fate” or “destiny.” My late mother used it frequently when she...

The Road Before the Road

A look at Paul’s conversion experience and how God drew the apostle to Jesus Salvation should never cease to amaze us...

‘I Will Not Forget You’

Three critical, frequently misinterpreted chapters in the book of Romans reveal Paul’s tender heart for Israel. Romans 9—11 is often misunderstood. Some pastors...

Paul: Jewish Preacher to the Pagans

Paul’s famous Mars Hill message demonstrated his Jewish teaching style and laid the groundwork for the church’s...


Subscription Options

1 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$9.99 every 1 year

1 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$19.99 every 1 year

2 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$19.99 every 2 years

2 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$39.99 every 2 years

3 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$29.99 every 3 years

3 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$59.99 every 3 years