“Therefore, prophesy and say to them: This is what the Lord God says: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them, My people, and lead you into the land of Israel. Ezekiel 37:12-13 HCSB
It is always exciting to read about those who were raised from the dead, such as Lazarus or the little girl of the Roman soldier. We all wish we had power to conquer death and old age and live forever. As I have gotten older, how I wish I could turn back the hands of the clock and participate in some of the activities that I was able to do when I was younger. At one time, when I was younger, I played tennis several times each week but now I seldom play tennis or get any real exercise.
Ezekiel used the analogy between the exodus of the people of Israel from slavery and bondage in Egypt to the bondage and slavery they were experiencing under the Babylonians. God’s promise was that He would bring the people out of captivity and back into the land of Israel. God would rescue them and give them new life. “Them” is referring to both the Northern and Southern kingdoms of Israel. The “open the graves” is symbolic of the National rebirth of Israel.
Challenge: God is still in control and is still offering people freedom from the bondage of sin. Today there is hope for the future because Jesus is alive and has conquered sin through His death and resurrection. Through belief in Jesus Christ you can have freedom from your sins and have eternal life. Thank God for His wonderful gift of forgiveness and freedom.