I love reading the Old Testament prophets. Not only is it spiritually edifying, but it can also be very entertaining. God often forced the prophets to do some really strange things to symbolically speak to the people. But make no mistake, the prophets spoke the true word of God, regardless of whether or not God’s chosen people, or the world at large listened. The same should be true of preachers…and in fact all Christians, today.
We are called to proclaim a message that seems very strange to many modern people. Just like the prophets of old, we will be construed as fanatic, extremist, and narrow minded. The world brags of how “open and affirming” they are. But we know from Scripture that the “open and affirming” road (otherwise know as the ‘wide road’) leads to Hell. Modern man will angrily reject such sentiments, because they want to enjoy their sin…and then gain eternal life to boot. That simply isn’t how it works. According to Jesus, “you must be born again.” (John 3:3)
The reason modern man is so messed up is because his ancient fathers were messed up. The problem is sin, and all people are born into a state of the most dreaded curse. We are “hard wired” sinners, who are bent that way from the womb….and no thing, nor any person can change that. The only One who can change us….is the GOD of the Impossible.
Ezekiel tells us of an account between God and him, in what is called the “Valley of the Dry Bones.” God calls Ezekiel to go out and “prophesy unto the dry bones.” The absurdity of such a suggestion should be obvious. He was to go the cemetery and preach the gospel to the corpses. They’re dead. They’re decomposed. There’s nothing left but dry bones…..and YET, the GOD of the Impossible has a plan.
As Ezekiel prophesies, the dry bones begin to come together. Muscles and tendons appear, flesh appears….and then GOD grants them life. I’ll let Ezekiel tell you about it: “Then He said to me, Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.’ So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.” (Ezekiel 37:9-10 NASB)
Of course, this just doesn’t happen. Corpses don’t live. Dead men don’t breathe. Dry bones don’t live. UNLESS…the GOD of the Impossible SAYS they do. And if HE SAYS they do….then all the powers of the Universe cannot prevent their living. GOD has spoken….LET all the world remain silent before Him.
The Valley of Dry Bones is symbolic of the Spiritual condition of all people. We are born into spiritual bondage and death. Humans are nothing more than walking corpses. They may be physically living….but SPIRITUALLY…they’re as dead as door nails. Unless the God of the Impossible changes that.
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins…But God made you alive...” (Ephesians 2:1 & 5) If you are eternally saved today….it’s because GOD brought you from Spiritual death to Spiritual life. You may not realize the extents of His Grace…but you are saved by Grace nonetheless. Just as you were blessed with “physical air” to breathe. God has given you “Spiritual air” by the Holy Spirit. Just as you are born with “physical abilities” God has given you “Spiritual abilities” as well. Just as you were granted physical LIFE….God has also granted you SPIRITUAL Life. And though the world doesn’t understand….the spiritual is far greater than the physical because the spiritual will go on for eternity. The life on earth is destined and guaranteed to end.
In a physical sense….all people are heading for the Valley of Dry Bones. All will die, and their bodies will decay until that Judgment Day in which Christ calls us forth from the grave. Yet, in a Spiritual sense, we don’t END in the Valley of Dry Bones, we BEGIN there. Then God gives us life.
The God of the Impossible does not change. The same One who worked dramatic miracles in the Bible, still works today in any way He so chooses. Do you have faith in the GOD of the Impossible? You might say that you believe in Him…but do you believe in HIS POWER to do the Impossible? Do you believe in His power to change any situation or circumstance you face? Do you believe in His ability to soften the hardest heart, change the meanest of scoundrels…and save the vilest of sinners? If not….then you’re not really trusting…in the GOD of the Impossible.
When God showed Ezekiel the Valley, God asked him: “Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel answered the only way he could have: “O Lord GOD, You know.” (Ezekiel 37:3) Death is not the greatest power. Life is the greatest power. And only God can give life to the dead. He can do anything….and He can change anyone. HE IS (and in the Old Testament He said ‘I AM’)…..the GOD of the Impossible.
