_Son of man, can these bones live?_
THE VISION OF A TRUE REVIVAL
I. Such a revival often seems utterly hopeless. The condition of a
nation in some of its eras of misfortune; the condition of the human
race in their graves; the condition of men who have lapsed into low
spiritual life;--are all cond... [ Continue Reading ]
_So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a
noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his
bone._
THE RESURRECTION OF DRY BONES
The prophecy of Ezekiel is a remarkable illustration of the nearness
of the spiritual world, and of many of its laws, scen... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was no breath in them._
NO LIFE APART FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD
I. The servant of God, anxiously engaged in his work, often sees among
the people to whom he ministers, a state of things which may be thus
described: “There was no breath in them.” This may be said where
there is--
1. Theology w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain,
that they may live._
THE VISION OF THE VALLEY OF THE DRY BONES
All else was done. Three things are prominent--the multitude, the
dryness, and the isolation. We shall not stay to draw out the figure
in detail in its national applicat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore prophesy and say unto them, thus saith the Lord God;
behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up
out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel._
DESPAIR DENOUNCED AND GRACE GLORIFIED
I. A true word: “They say, our bones are dried.”
1. Observe, firs... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take thee one stick._
JOINING THE STICKS
I. The sad condition of the people of Israel at the time the prophet
wrote. It was that of separation and of estrangement. Such a condition
was--
1. Contrary to nature.
2. Displeasing to God.
3. Disastrous to themselves.
That and other sin had reduced... [ Continue Reading ]
_I the Lord do sanctify Israel._
SANCTIFICATION
I. We shall view it as the Holy Spirit’s work to “sanctify
Israel.” He gives a new, another, a spiritual life, yea, His own
life, to sinners who were dead in trespasses and in sins. That is the
religion of the Bible. That sanctification which becomes... [ Continue Reading ]