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Dead Men Rejoicing  

 In Ezekiel 37 we find the famous prophecy of dry bones restored to life. The background of this prophecy finds the people of Israel in captivity to Babylon. The people are in a weeping mode because of the loss of their freedom and their land. In Psalms 137: 1-4 we read about how they felt.

By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion. ²We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. ³For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a foreign land?  

The army of dry bones represents the nation of Israel that is in captivity. Exekiel’s prophecy is given in two stages and resurrects the dry bones into an army again. In verses 12-14, the interpretation of this event is given.

 The first stage of resurrection is release from captivity and restoration to their land. The second stage of resurrection happens when the people are filled with God’s Spirit. They then “live” (Chah-yah in Hebrew) which means to flourish, be animated, to live life to its fullness.

 Most Christians find themselves in captivity today. They are in a weeping mode. They are not full of joy and expectancy. These Christians have been taken captive by the devil. They are in bondage to un-forgiveness, bitterness, sexual perversion, pride, etc. But there is hope for these Christians today.

 First, we must be set free from our bondage. James 4:7 says, “…submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  We submit to God when we truly repent of our sins. Then we can break the chains of captivity the devil has bound us with. Sometimes this requires allowing ourselves to go through a deliverance by trained people of God. Until we are set free from the devil we are in captivity and can never experience the joy God has meant for our lives.

 Second, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. In the prophecy, God said, ‘I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live…’ To live the abundant and joyful life God has planned for us requires us to be filled by the Holy Spirit.

 In Luke 11:9, Jesus says we should ask to receive the Holy Spirit and that the Father wants to give this “good gift” to His children.

 ⁹“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  ... ¹³If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

 Are you really living life to its fullest today? Are you so full of joy that you cannot contain it? If not, you may be in captivity to the devil. Review your life today and ask God to reveal areas that are not submitted to the will of God. Then repent and receive full pardon and forgiveness.

 Once free from captivity, you are now free to receive the Holy Spirit. Seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit in your life and let Him lift you into the joy He has planned for your life.