Dry Bones & New Hearts: Is Ezekiel's Promise For You?

Have you ever felt spiritually dry? Like your faith has become a set of rituals rather than a vibrant, life-giving relationship? You’re not alone. The people of Israel in Ezekiel’s time knew this feeling all too well. They were in exile, their nation was shattered, and their hope was gone. They were, in God’s own words, like a valley of very dry bones.

But into their despair, God spoke one of the most powerful promises of restoration in all of Scripture. This promise, found in Ezekiel 36 and 37, doesn’t just belong to ancient history. It directly answers the question: How does God bring dead things back to life?

In our latest Lion Roars from Zion podcast episode, "Dry Bones & New Hearts: Is Ezekiel's Promise For You?", we unpack this incredible prophecy. We explore its two powerful acts and tackle the crucial question: Is this new heart and new spirit just for Israel, or is it a promise for every believer?

The Two-Act Prophecy: Heart Transplant and Resurrection

Ezekiel’s prophecy is a masterful two-part message of hope.

Act 1: The Spiritual Heart Transplant (Ezekiel 36:22-38) God’s people were diagnosed with a “heart of stone”—cold, unfeeling, and unresponsive to God. But God, motivated by His love for His own holy name, promised a radical solution. He didn’t offer self-help tips; He promised divine surgery:

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you…” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

This is a total transformation: forgiveness, a new nature, and the very Spirit of God taking up residence within them.

Act 2: The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) If Chapter 36 is the what, Chapter 37 is the how. God shows Ezekiel a vision of a valley filled with bones that are not just dead, but “very dry”—signifying complete hopelessness. Through a two-stage prophecy—first to the bones, then to the breath (Ruach in Hebrew, meaning wind, breath, or spirit)—God brings a vast army to life.

God explains the vision: this is Israel, who says, “Our hope is lost.” But God declares, “I will put my Spirit in you, and you shall live.” The same Spirit that breathes life into dry bones is the Spirit promised to give a new heart.

The Big Question: Is This Promise For Us Today?

This is the central question. The answer from the full story of the Bible is a resounding yes—but we must understand how.

The promise was first and specifically given to national Israel, and God will be faithful to fulfill it for them completely. However, through Jesus Christ, the blessings of this prophecy became the foundation of the New Covenant, available to all who believe.

Here’s how the New Testament shows this promise is for you:

1. Jeremiah 31:31-34: God promises a "New Covenant" with the same terms: His law written on hearts, a relational promise ("I will be their God"), and total forgiveness.

2. Luke 22:20: At the Last Supper, Jesus lifts the cup and says, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” He was instituting the very covenant Ezekiel and Jeremiah foretold.

3. Acts 2:1-39: At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit (Ruach) falls on the believers (Jews), fulfilling the promise. Then Peter preaches that “the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off” (Acts 2:39)—that’s the Gentiles! That’s us!

4. 2 Corinthians 3:3: The Apostle Paul tells the Gentile church in Corinth that they are “a letter from Christ… written not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” He explicitly says he is a minister of the “new covenant.”

   
   

The incredible truth is this: When you placed your faith in Jesus, you underwent Ezekiel’s heart transplant. Your heart of stone was replaced with a heart of flesh. The breath of God that raised Jesus from the dead and brought an army of dry bones to life now lives inside of you. This isn’t just a Jewish promise; it’s the birthright of every Christian.

A Moment of Reflection

Take a moment to consider:

When have you felt most like those “dry bones” in your own life? · Can you identify the breath of God bringing hope and life into that situation?

This isn’t just theology; it’s the story of our salvation. We were in that valley, and the word of the Lord through the Gospel called us out of our graves and made us new creations.

Did this teaching resonate with you? We’d love for you to join the conversation!

Listen to Episode 23: “Dry Bones & New Hearts: Is Ezekiel's Promise For You?” on your favourite platform: Podbean | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Podcasts | Our Website

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