Thank you to Ian for this week’s MWB
The Holy Spirit gives encouragement for the present and hope for the future
Time and space do not permit a proper Bible study of Ezekiel ch.37 but to have it open might help you to see more clearly what follows. Israel had become two nations – Judah and Ephraim – due to leadership conflict. Both nations had continued to reject God’s way and both, separately, had been taken into exile; the temple and Jerusalem had been destroyed. Thus, in v11, we read – ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has gone; we are cut off.’ – Even the people of faith had entered graves of despondency. But God, “through the Spirit of the LORD,” gave Ezekiel a message of hope for those who had ears to hear ‘the word of the LORD.’
First, Ezekiel was given the vision of the valley of bones and the LORD asked him – “Son of man, can these bones live?” To which Ezekiel replied – “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” – – Ezekiel knew that only God the creator could give life – it would need a new creation. What follows is a picture of restoration, a new creation and a wonderful promise – v.13/14 – “You, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land.
Then Ezekiel is told to get two pieces of wood and write on one Judah and the other Ephraim; he was to join them together and make one stick. What follows is a visual aid to show how God planned to bring the two nations together – v22 – “I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms.” – A picture of reconciliation and healing, no more division or conflict. – “They will be my people and I will be their God.”
The rest of the chapter follows with even more amazing promises – “My servant David will be king over them, and they will have one shepherd” – – – – “They and their children and their children’s children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince for ever.” – – “I will make a covenant of peace with them; It will be an everlasting covenant.” – – – “My dwelling place will be with them I will be their God.”
The vision, visual aid and promises were spoken by Ezekiel, through the Holy Spirit, to the people of faith when they were at their lowest. Those same words speak to us today – reconciliation – healing of division – unity under one king – the good shepherd – peace with God – eternity with God; they encourage us in our darkest moments and give us hope for the future. That is a principle ministry of the Holy Spirit. If we are in fellowship with the Holy Spirit then we are able to fellowship with each other and so encourage one another in faith, hope and love; as each one does his work the new creation in Christ is built up.
However, if you are feeling dried up and in despondency, there is a commandment in v.4 – “Hear the word of the LORD.” – – Fellowship with the Holy Spirit allows the Holy Spirit to work within you and to help you to trust in his grace – for God is faithful. The Holy Spirit speaks in words of love and compassion.