So I want to give you some other numbers to focus on: ten and three. But I also know that is not the final story of God and God’s people. I know how easy it is to focus on and despair over the number of dry bones. And I’m guessing you might feel the same way. That’s how I feel every time I read the newest numbers of cases, deaths, job losses, and financial hardships. God only knows if these bones can live again. I picture him looking around and shaking his head at the overwhelming enormity of it all. I so appreciate the honesty in what Ezekiel says. Can we recover from this? And, if so, when and how will that happen? What will our future look like?Įzekiel responds but he doesn’t answer the question.

I suspect it’s a question most of us are wondering about. “Mortal, can these bones live?” the Lord asks Ezekiel.

“Seca” by Aproximando Ciência e Pessoas is licensed under CC BY 2.0 CC If “all shall be well” is the theme that runs through Psalm 23, then “you shall live” is the theme that runs through the valley of dry bones. It’s a story about a people who have a future. The valley of dry bones is a story of hope. How fortunate are we that today the valley of dry bones is one of our assigned scripture readings? It’s exactly what we, our country, and our world need to hear. This week we stand in the valley of dry bones. Last week we stood in the valley of the shadow of death. We needed to be reassured that all shall be well. We needed to be reminded that the Lord is our shepherd and we shall not be in want. Last week I told you how fortunate we were to have Psalm 23 as our appointed psalm.

But today, I am going to repeat myself, at least to some degree. I try pretty hard to not repeat myself from one sermon to the next. The Fifth Sunday in Lent – Ezekiel 37:1-14, The Valley of the Dry Bones

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