Ezekiel 37:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Lord commanded him to prophesy about the bones, instructing him to say to them, "Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord." It is remarkable that he addressed these dry bones, devoid of life, flesh, skin, and the vital spirit, yet they were able to hear the voice of God.

God employs the Prophet as His servant and means through which the resurrection is realized in the vision. By the Prophet's words, the lifeless, merely dead bones are called upon to grow flesh, sinews, and skin, and to be infused with the breath of life. This act serves as a symbol not only for the restoration of the Jews from exile but also for the universal resurrection of all believers. As the divine Apostle states, ‘He shall sound the trumpet, and the dead shall rise incorruptible (1 Cor. 15:52).

Recall Ezekiel's vision regarding the valley filled with dry bones. He described how, as per God's command, the bones came together, forming a skeleton, and were subsequently clothed with tendons, flesh, and skin, yet the breath had not yet entered them. The Lord instructed the Prophet to "Speak to the breath," and as he did, all were revived. This valley of bones represents humanity in its fallen state, existing in separation from God, devoid of life and the Spirit, as the Apostle articulates.

The prophets were called to speak to these lifeless bones. The message that the prophet was to deliver concerning the dry bones was meant to unite in purpose. He was instructed to be a vessel for the omnipotent power of God. With his proclamation, an event reminiscent of the Creator's original acts was to occur. The Creator spoke, brought forth existence, guided, and fashioned life. Likewise, the word of the Lord spoken through the prophet was intended to produce a comparable outcome. The prophet was tasked with calling out to the inert bones as if they were alive: Hear the word of the Lord, or the decree of the Lord.