paused in Stage Two

The Word for today:
Ezekiel 37

Dry bones.

First of all, we are treated to a little display of God's sense of humor.  Just imagine Ezekiel as God says to him, “Prophesy to these bones. Start out by saying, ’O you dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.’”

Well, I think it's funny!  What isn't very funny is that this is precisely what God asks teachers and pastors and evangelists and disciples (that would be you) to do.  He has commissioned us (Matthew 28:18-20) to bring the Word of the LORD to those who are dead in sins and trespasses (1).  When we do, we are bringing to others what brought life to us:
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.  (1 Peter 1:23)

***

Scripture communicates on various levels all at once.  The vision of the dry bones has a spiritual application (as explained above) and a prophetic interpretation as well.

The prophetic interpretation concerns the nation Israel.  The nation which had been lifeless came back to life in 1948--there is now flesh on dem bones.

But they are just bodies.  As of today, the nation Israel is not born again.  They are, as we speak, in the second stage, described in 37:8:
And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them.  But there was no breath in them.

As of today, Israel has returned to the land, but they have not returned to the LORD.  Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones, currently in Stage Two, is currently on 'Pause.'