The Restoration of Israel: From Dry Bones to a Living Nation

What are Dry Bones?

Before we dive into the symbolism, let's understand what "dry bones" literally mean. Dry bones are completely lifeless. They have no veins to carry blood, no marrow to produce blood cells, and no living cells to maintain the bones. They're just brittle, mineral remains, indicating total death and desolation. This state of being "dry" signifies that the bones are entirely dead, incapable of sustaining life or performing any biological processes.

Applying the Literal Meaning to the Israelites

The image of dry bones is a powerful way to describe Israel's condition as shown in Ezekiel 37. Just as dry bones are devoid of life, the Israelites faced total destruction and desolation. Due to their worship of false gods, Israel was completely annihilated, not just physically but also spiritually and mentally. The oppressive powers of the end-times, often referred to as the beast system, hunted the Israelites relentlessly. They chased them from one country to another, herding most of them into West Africa; finally capturing them and putting them into brutal captivity by way of slave ships. This was to be their final captivity as described by the Messiah in Luke 21:24: "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."

This final captivity was incredibly severe. The Israelites lost everything—their freedom, heritage, and identity. They became physical slaves, but even worse, they became mental slaves. The captors did such a thorough job that generations of Israelites were born into this state, having no idea of their true history or why they were suffering. This mental slavery was so profound that they couldn’t understand their situation or their past.

The Deuteronomy 28 Curses

Deuteronomy 28 outlines the curses that would befall Israel for disobedience. These curses were extensive and severe, encompassing all aspects of life, and ultimately led to Israel's state of dry bones:

Curses in Daily Life: "Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out" (Deuteronomy 28:19). "Yahuah shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me" (Deuteronomy 28:20).

Military Defeat: "Yahuah shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth" (Deuteronomy 28:25).

Economic Exploitation: "The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway" (Deuteronomy 28:33).

Public Humiliation: "And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither Yahuah shall lead thee" (Deuteronomy 28:37).

These curses brought confusion, destruction, and ruin to Israel. Every aspect of their lives was affected, leading to their complete downfall. They faced constant defeat by their enemies, their land and labor were exploited by foreign nations, and they suffered public humiliation. To this very day, their land is not controlled by them but is under the rulership of their enemies.

Losing Their Heritage

The loss of heritage is a crucial part of the curses that befell Israel. The Bible foretells that the Israelites would lose their heritage and identity due to their disobedience:

Jeremiah 17:4 (KJV): "And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever."

Hosea 4:6 (KJV): "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."

Baruch 2:4-5: "Moreover he hath delivered them to be in subjection to all the kingdoms that are round about us, to be as a reproach and desolation among all the people round about, where the Lord hath scattered them. Thus we were cast down, and not exalted, because we have sinned against the Lord our God, and have not been obedient unto his voice."

Baruch 2:30-33: "For I knew that they would not hear me, because it is a stiffnecked people: but in the land of their captivities they shall remember themselves. And shall know that I am the Lord their God: for I will give them an heart, and ears to hear: And they shall praise me in the land of their captivity, and think upon my name, And return from their stiff neck, and from their wicked deeds: for they shall remember the way of their fathers, which sinned before the Lord."

These verses highlight the prophetic fulfillment of Israel losing their heritage and identity, serving as a punishment for their disobedience. Also, Baruch 2:30-33: makes it clear that one day, Israel would begin to awaken and turn back to Yah. This awakening is happening today.

The Vision of Restoration in Ezekiel 37

Despite this total destruction, Ezekiel 37 offers a vision of hope. In this vision, the Valley of Dry Bones comes to life, symbolizing the revival of Israel. Yahuah promises to restore Israel, breathing life back into the dry bones and reassembling them into living beings. This means not just physical restoration but also a revival of their spiritual identity and relationship with Yahuah. They are reassembled into a self-governing nation, regaining the power to rule over their enemies. This transformation signifies that Israel will once again become a self-determined nation, free from foreign domination, capable of governing themselves and exercising power over their adversaries.

The Current State of Affairs

Today, in the ancestral land, many of the Israelites, those not scattered to the four winds as slaves, are controlled by foreign nations. These nations use proxy leaders to rule over them, further diminishing Israel's control over their own land. This subjugation is part of the divine judgment, setting the stage for Yahuah's promise of ultimate restoration. But the time of their deliverance and the restoration of the dry bones into a living nation, as symbolized in Ezekiel 37, is soon at hand.

The Promise of Restoration

Yahuah's promise to restore Israel goes beyond just bringing them back to their land. It includes gathering them from all the nations where they were scattered as slaves and returning them to their ancestral land. This restoration means they will no longer serve their Gentile masters but will instead become leaders of nations in the last days. Yahuah promises a complete transformation, making Israel the head and not the tail, as promised. This process includes reclaiming their identity, reviving their spiritual heritage, and reestablishing their covenant with Yahuah. It's not just a return to their former state but an elevation to a new, divinely ordained status.

Conclusion

The metaphor of dry bones in Ezekiel 37 captures the dire state of Israel after their disobedience and divine judgment. Yet, it also brings a message of hope and renewal. Despite the complete annihilation and subjugation, Yahuah's commitment to His people remains firm. The vision of dry bones coming to life symbolizes the miraculous revival of Israel, reaffirming their identity as Yahuah's chosen people and their role in His divine plan. This restoration is a testament to Yahuah's enduring mercy and the fulfillment of His promises, bringing hope to a nation once considered lost. The return to their ancestral land from worldwide captivity and their rise to leadership among nations signify the ultimate fulfillment of Yahuah's covenant.