Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Ezekiel 37

Eze 37:1 The 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,

carried me out

Parables (O.T.). Eze 37:1-14; Eze 37:16-22. (Jdg 9:7-15; Zec 11:7-14).

spirit

Holy Spirit. Eze 37:1, 14; Eze 39:29. (Gen 1:2; Mal 2:15.)

bones

Having announced (Eze 36:24-38) the restoration of the nation, Jehovah now gives in vision and symbol the method of its accomplishment. Eze 37:11 gives the clue. The "bones" are the whole house of Israel who shall then be living. The "graves" are the nations where they dwell. The order of procedure is:

1. the bringing of the people out Ezekiel 37:12-14,19-27
2. the bringing of them in (Ezekiel 37:12);
3. their conversion (Ezekiel 37:13)
4. the filling with the Spirit (Ezekiel 37:14).

The symbol follows. The two sticks are Judah and the ten tribes; united, they are one nation (Eze 37:19-21). Then follows (Eze 37:21-27) the plain declaration as to Jehovah's purpose, and Eze 37:28 implies that then Jehovah will become known to the Gentiles in a marked way. This is also the order of Act 15:16, 17 and the two passages strongly indicate the time of full Gentile conversion. See also Isa 11:10.

Eze 37:16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:

take thee one stick

Parables (O.T.). Eze 37:16-22; Zec 6:9-15. (Jdg 9:7-15; Zec 11:7-14).

Eze 37:21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:

Israel (prophecies). Eze 37:21-28; Eze 39:25, 29. (Gen 12:2, 3; Rom 11:26.)

heathen [See also Eze 37:28.]

i.e. nations.

bring them into their own land

Kingdom (O.T.). Eze 37:21-28; Dan 2:34-35. (Gen 1:26; Zec 12:8).

Eze 37:22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:

one king shall be king to them all

Christ (Second Advent). Dan 7:13, 14. (Deu 30:3; Acts 1:9-11.)

Eze 37:24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

David my servant shall be king over them

Isa 40:11; Jer 23:5; 30:9; Eze 34:23, 24; Hos 3:5; Luk 1:32.

Eze 37:25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.

they shall dwell…for ever

Isa 60:21; Joe 3:20; Amo 9:15.

my servant David

Eze 37:24; Jhn 12:34.

Eze 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

a covenant of peace

Eze 34:25; Psa 89:3; Isa 55:3; Jer 32:40.