“Dry Bones” is a fun song performed by several groups over the years. The version I am most familiar with is the Cathedrals’, on their 1986 album Travelin’ Live. It’s a traditional spiritual that references Ezekiel and his experience in a valley of dry bones. Of course, the quartet has fun with the bit about the foot bone connecting to the ankle bone, etc., etc. You may be familiar with the song, but are you familiar with the Biblical story upon which it is based, and why it is important? Keep reading, and you will be.
First, let’s look at the Scripture reference, from Ezekiel 37:1-14. Bear with me and read through it, since I’m quoting the whole thing at once. Bolded emphasis is mine…to highlight verses that are quoted or paraphrased in the song.
1The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones
2And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
3And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.
4Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
5Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
6And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
7So 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.
8And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
9Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
11Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
12Therefore 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.
13And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
14And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
So, even though “Dry Bones” is more of a novelty kind of song, it is based on a serious Biblical prophecy. This prophecy is completely explained by the Lord in verses 11-14 above, but here’s a recap. The bones were a symbol of the nation of Israel, scattered and dead from the time of captivity. The great prophecy spoken to Ezekiel is that one day Israel would be revived, coming together, like the piecing together of the skeleton, and would return to their promised land. Although I’ve seen various opinions on when this was or will be fulfilled, the rest of the chapter confirms in my heart that this is going to happen at the start of the millennial reign of Christ after the tribulation.
Interestingly, another song that makes reference to this portion of Scripture is “God’s Building a Church”, from Gold City’s 1997 album What a Great Lifestyle. Tim Riley’s ultra-low step-out lines in the chorus are the references: “It’s gonna march like a mighty army band” (verse 10), and “It’s gonna rise from a valley of dead, dry bones” (verses 1 and 2).
This song takes the prophecy in a little different direction, applying it to the Church. While the prophecy is specifically talking about the nation of Israel, I believe it does no harm to learn from it and apply it to our lives as the Church. In this application, the valley of bones is a symbol of a sinful world. God will take these dry bones (that’s us) and put them together in one body, breathing new life into us. This has been happening since Jesus established the Church, and is still happening today. One day, that body will be complete, and then the Church will rise triumphantly to live forever in heaven.
So are these just cute songs? Not to me. If you think about what the lyrics are talking about, and what that means to us, it should bring joy to a Christian’s heart.
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