In Ezekiel 37 we read the prophecy of a valley filled with dry bones which are scattered, but God brings them back together, restores muscle and skin, and then breathes life back into these people to make them live again. Anyone who has seen pictures of the Jewish people who were rescued from Hitler’s death camps during World War II can clearly see in these people the images of this valley of dry bones.
God has always loved the Jewish people, even in those times when it has seemed as if He has forgotten them. This prophecy, in verse 14, tells of Israel’s return to their land – and was fulfilled in the years following the close of World War II.
Isaiah 66:8 says: "Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children." This was exactly fulfilled when, on one day...May 14, 1948...the country of Israel was established.
And though the people have still been called Jews, they are truly, as also prophesied in Ezekiel 37:15-22, a united nation of all twelve tribes as they had not been in thousands of years since after Solomon was their king. ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.
Part of verse 22, There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms, has not yet been fulfilled – that they will have one king over them again. This will be fulfilled when Jesus physically returns to this earth in the near future. There is still a time of judgment coming, which Jesus called the time of Great Tribulation in Matthew 24:21. This day when Jesus will return is also the time, stated in Romans 11:26, when all Israel will be saved.
Israel still has a powerful enemy, Satan. And Satan still stirs up other nations in this world to try to destroy Israel. But God is protecting, and will continue to protect Israel with His hand – just as He also protects us, His Church, from things which are not in His plan. His protection does not mean we cannot die at the hand of someone who hates us, or that we will succeed in everything we set out to do in this life on earth. After all, His plan for us is not that we are successful in this earthly kingdom – His plan for us is for our far greater success in His heavenly kingdom.
There is also, still in the future, a great judgment coming for the nations which have oppressed Israel through the centuries. As the hatred for Israel grows in our world even today, so God’s judgment for those who hate Israel will also be great – see the promise/prophecy in Genesis 12:3 - "And I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse [that is, subject to My wrath and judgment] the one who curses (despises, dishonors, has contempt for) you. And in you all the families (nations) of the earth will be blessed.”. While this promise can be seen demonstrated in many incidents throughout history, it will be brought into full completion during this time of Great Tribulation.
Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, help us to see clearly how the events of our world today are a warning from You that this judgment on the nations which have hated Your people is coming just as You have given prophecy and promise over thousands of years. Help us who are Your people, whether Church or Israel, to be faithful to You and Your kingdom in these days – faithful without fear. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
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