June 4, 2006

Prophesy to These Dry Bones

by Rev. Dr. Jim Carlson

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Story has always fascinated me. Reading at camp.

Ezekiel’s story – 597 invasion by Babylonians. Priest taken into captivity.

Had spoken only of God’s judgment. People felt their nation was dead.

Jehoiachin/Zedekiah – believed Jehoiachin would be restored to throne.

Later oracles about restoration. Hopes often involved unification of Israel and Judah.

Vision of dead bones in valley, probably in Babylon.

Ezekiel is asked if dead bones can live. Only God knows.

Ezekiel asked to prophesy to dead bones. Wind or breath or spirit commanded to blow into dead bones.

Bones are put together – muscles, skin. Recomposed bodies with no breath.

Ezekiel told to prophesy to wind again – breath of God brings bodies to life. Like creation story.

God tells Ezekiel the meaning: Bones are metaphor for Israel. Unification of Israel and Judah implied.

Ezekiel is told to prophesy restoration and unification.

Interesting that dead bones are metaphor for nation isolated from each other and downtrodden.

Isolated and oppressed people unable to feel really alive. Families who are isolated and suffering feel like no relation at all.

Grenade thrown into tourist bus in Kashmir this week.

Serious divisions in our country. Debate over immigration reform.

Great concern over direction of electorate if more Hispanic immigrants are allowed to vote.

Reporters invited by MLK 3 to attend 40th anniversary of march on Birmingham.

“Felon” purging of voter roles in Florida in 2003. One voter disqualified from voting for felony committed in 2007. Voters listed by race.

The massive Harvard University Civil Rights Project study released last year found that it was 50% more likely for a black vote to be “spoiled” than a white vote.

In Florida, the U.S. Civil Rights Commission found that a black vote was nearly 10 times as likely as a white vote to be rejected.

Why can’t Israel and Judah live in unity? God’s plan is for people to live in unity and harmony and to share both land and power.

Bones of oppression and hatred still lie in the valley around us. God is calling us to speak to the bones. God will breathe life into them and make us live as a nation again.