The Valley of Dry Bones

     Last year's BSF study was on Revelation and I found myself writing poems to help me make sense of the symbols and prophecies I find hard to understand. The same thing seems to be happening in this year's study of People of the Promise: Exile and Return. Part of this week's lesson is on Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones and I am wrapping my thoughts in poetry once again. It is probably fitting because Old Testament prophecy is written in Hebrew poetry. I don't know how mine stacks up to theirs, but I think it rates higher than the "Dem Bones" song I remember hearing on the Lawrence Welk Show when I was a child.

 The Valley of Dry Bones

I saw the valley where he stood

Ezekiel, the man of God,

speaking with commanding tones

into the valley of dry bones--

dry and brittle, lifeless bones.

 

But then a rattling noise began,

bidden by the Son of man,

bone with bone together bound

then flesh and skin the bones surround--

whole, but lifeless, on the ground.

 

And then he spoke a new command,

breath filled them until they could stand.

An army, who'll possess the land

God gave their fathers long before--

Israel exists once more.

 

If ever I should doubt God can

keep His promises to man--

 the Jews now live in their homeland.

Israel has at last come home

out of the valley of dry bones.

 

9/21/25