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וַיְהִי דְבַר־יְהוָה אֵלַי לֵאמֹר׃
True Christian Religion # 594
594. A person's regeneration is described in Ezekiel by 'dry bones', on which sinews were fastened and then flesh and skin, and finally breath was breathed into them to bring them to life again (Ezekiel 37:1-14). It is plain that this is a representation of regeneration from it being said there:
These bones are the whole house of Israel (verse 11).
There is also a comparison there with graves, for it says that He would open the graves and cause the bones to rise from them, and put spirit in them, and settle them upon the land of Israel (verses 12-14). The land of Israel there and elsewhere means the church. The representation of regeneration was effected by means of bones and graves, because the person who has not been regenerated is called dead, and one who has is called alive. The one contains spiritual life, the other spiritual death.
Ezekiel 37:1-14
1
The hand of Yahweh was on me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of Yahweh, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.
2
He caused me to pass by them all around: and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and behold, they were very dry.
3
He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live? I answered, Lord Yahweh, you know.
4
Again he said to me, Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, you dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh.
5
Thus says the Lord Yahweh to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.
6
I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.
7
So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone to its bone.
8
I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them.
9
Then he said to me, Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.
10
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
11
Then he said to me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off.
12
Therefore prophesy, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.
13
You shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, my people.
14
I will put my Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and you shall know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it and performed it, says Yahweh.
