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Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ (Ez 37:4-6)

As intercessors, we have often used this story in Ezekiel 37 as a formula for declaring life into dead situations, relationships, and various issues in our life which need resurrection power. Though faith is usually exercised in this pronouncement of life, I see another, more important factor that is behind the success of Ezekiel’s command. This was not just a demonstration of prophetic authority but a powerful result of a prophetic life.

Ezekiel had a history with God.

We need to realize that Ezekiel came to that valley with a history – an amazing journey of surrender, radical obedience, and a sanctified life. It is this key ingredient which makes Ezekiel’s pronouncement so incredible and the single most important ingredient that is desperately needed today in the Church for effective prayer. Without this ingredient, our prophetic pronouncements may be sincere and heart-felt, but lacking in power.

What is Ezekiel’s history?  After Assyria conquered Israel, the Jews were scattered and Ezekiel lived with the other Jewish exiles in Babylonia. They were lost, angry, and without cause. Though he was from a priestly line, the Lord called Ezekiel as a prophet to his people. Unfortunately, God not only told him that the people wouldn’t listen to him (2:4), but also that things would get worse before they got better. The Jews would see Jerusalem fall before they were ready for God’s intervention. Ezekiel’s job was to warn his brethren about the impending destruction and call them back to God. In doing so, God asked Ezekiel to do some extremely insane things!

Ezekiel was to be a signpost to the people (Ezekiel 12:11) meaning that he was supposed to demonstrate God’s messages in very specific ways.  He was not to simply speak prophetic words, but to live a prophetic life. By demonstrating humility and a willingness to follow at all costs, people around him would see God’s will in action.

Consider the things Ezekiel was asked to do:

*Eat a scroll of mourning and lament to have God’s heart for intercession (3:1-4)

*Be tied up with ropes in his own home and not be able to speak until the Lord allowed him (3:25-27)

*Lay on his right side for 390 days and then on his left side for 40 days to symbolize Israel’s years of rebellion (Chapter 4)

*Shave his head and beard, which was usually unlawful for a Jew (Chapter 5)

*Prophesy death and destruction to his brethren (11:10-13).

*Pack his belongings and hand dig through the wall to demonstrate what would happen to the Israelites in captivity (12:1-6).

As if these things didn’t already test Ezekiel’s resolve to humble himself before the Lord in complete surrender and obedience, he was told one more heart-wrenching command. The Lord told Ezekiel He would take his wife “with one blow” to be a sign to Israel of what would happen to Jerusalem, their beloved city. Ezekiel was told he couldn’t even mourn her death (24:15-16).

Here was a prophet who had faithfully obeyed every command of the Lord, willing to suffer ridicule, scrutiny, and prophesy doom and destruction to his fellow Jews. Now, he was told that the love of his life would be taken from Him – as a sign. Scripture doesn’t indicate what Ezekiel’s initial response was.  All we can assume is that he faithfully trusted the Lord’s directives just as before. The next chapter simply picks up with the next word the Lord gave him.

It is just three chapters later that we finally get to the Valley of the Dry Bones. This opportunity to see the power of God demonstrated before his eyes came after years of obedience and faithfulness to God’s Word. It was not just the prophet Ezekiel who stood before those dry bones, but the man, Ezekiel. This was one who had a history with his God, living out every request and following every directive he was given. This is the key ingredient that gave him the authority to speak to those dry bones in the valley of death. He had already been there and knew what to do.

Because he had faithfully demonstrated humility, surrender, and faith in God through the years, those bones immediately responded to his words and a vast army stood before him full of resurrection power! Because of his life of obedience and faithfulness, the man Ezekiel had the authority to raise the dead.

Today, we have a huge valley of dry bones before us in our communities, cities, and nation. We see biblical values dying, the decay of morals and absolutes, as well as a complete absence of the fear of the Lord. We desperately need supernatural intervention, the power of resurrection life, and a revival of passion for the Lord.

Though we know that God can raise the dead to life, the question is, can our prophetic declarations be backed up by a personal history with God?  Do our lives reflect consistent surrender and absolute obedience to what He’s already said? Have we so focused on the formulas of words or presumed rights to spiritual authority that we have totally missed the most important ingredient?

The strongholds that we face today and the principalities that are threatening our communities and nation will not be overcome by a power confrontation. It will not be a test of the wills or the level of passion or the hours of prayer that will determine the outcome. The enemies of God will be defeated by a holy and humble people who have demonstrated the rule of God through their lives and practices.

It is a righteous life that will totally disarm the enemy and release the power to bring new life. These are not just values, but heart issues that must be tested and tried, just as they were for Ezekiel. I pray that the words God spoke to Ezekiel about Israel would be true for us today:

I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes (Ezekiel 36:23).

__________

“Father, I desire to walk with resurrection authority in my life! I want to have the testimony of Ezekiel in being faithful and true to Your Word, even when it’s costly. Forgive me when I have not obeyed what You have spoken. Grant me a willing and obedient heart to follow Your commands and trust You with the outcomes. Teach me how to speak life to the dead areas of my life and those around me. Make me a vessel of Your power so that others can come to know You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

(From “Oracles of Grace: Building a Legacy of Wisdom and Revelation” by Wanda Alger)

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Geno
April 16, 2020

Hi I read it, it’s so powerful and make a lot of sense we have to be obedient, humble, forgiving, listening to God’s words etc.God bless you and your family

RJC
June 24, 2019

This has truth to it but it misses a key point. It’s true that the more you obey the deeper God takes you. But if Ezekial went to the dry bones on his own and spoke his own will I doubt much would have happened. The Lord took him there and told him to speak. That’s where the power and authority come from. The Lord.

Sandra Terrell
May 10, 2019

This is such a thought-provoking article. It answers my question of why we are not seeing the “Supernatural ” take place according to the bible. The Word of God says signs, wonders, and miracles should follow the ” Believer”. I along with others in the body of Christ must examine our lives. ” Do I (we) have a history with the Savior?”. Ezekiel had a consistent history with God the Father. Obedience, faithfulness, and truth.

    L Rahmaad
    May 11, 2019

    Amen. Praise God. My desire is to be a vessel of righteousness.

Elaine Danan
May 8, 2019

Deeper, deeper! May we walk deeper in relationship with you, Lord, is all I pray for every one. That our greatest Delight would be in You, as we separate ourselves from the world culture! That we would have ears to hear your voice, eyes to see your truth, a heart to follow You in all your ways. Hallelujah!

Stephen Babasola
May 8, 2019

This message is a call to personal revival. God bless you.

Teresa Farrell
May 8, 2019

Amen hallelujah PRAISE the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORD

Doreice
May 8, 2019

You have opened my eyes as you remind me that “MyLife” must be prophetic with visible victorios suffering as an intercessor.
You have “fine tuned”me to choose surrending myself obediently at all cost.
I pray:
My Divine Lover,
I want to satisfy You,not my flesh, not the devil, not the world. I chose to surrender all. 1Corn.9:27.
Bless you

Dawn Lawrence
May 7, 2019

We can’t talk the talk, uless we’ve walked the walk. Thank you for this word. I say amen to it.

Ann
May 7, 2019

Ann says:
May 7, 2019
As I read and study this I realize that for all these years of loving and being Your child, that I have only thought that I was “sold out to you. But Not like Ezekiel…thank you, for in the quiet of the morning, I desire to go deeper with my God. May I truly mean this and let it not be just emotion, but commitment.

Teresa Farrell
May 7, 2019

Excellent article AMEN HALLELUJAH PRAISE Jesus

    Karen Vercruse
    May 7, 2019

    Truth, Wanda. I am struck, especially lately, by your growth and maturity in the things of the Lord. What you say hear is a big part of what has been missing in the Church. That has kept us from His purposes and power. I am convicted. Thank you, Have mercy on me, Lord.

      Teresa Farrell
      May 7, 2019

      Karen I am not understanding your comment

      Teresa Farrell
      May 7, 2019

      Dear sister have u thought about one on one bible study

        Olorunbukunmi
        May 8, 2019

        Wonderful and thought provoking to the spiritually sensitive souls. I pray for more anointing.

      Wanda Alger
      May 7, 2019

      Dear Karen – Thank you so much for your gracious words. I value your input and perspective. You, too, are a gift. May you experience God’s LIFE and PEACE in Jesus’ name! (Wanda)

Marjorie
May 7, 2019

Lord, this is the way I want to live. When the flesh cries out “satisfy me!” I will thank You for reminding me, that You Holy Spirit WILL enable me to live surrendered today. I chose that today.

Mary
May 7, 2019

May the Lord raise up His Body and empower us again with the power of His Holy Spirit to live a surrendered life.
In Jesus Name!

Kay Powell
May 7, 2019

This is such a powerful truth! Thank you Wanda for speaking it plainly and powerfully. May the church and intercessors rise up in obedience and righteousness this day!

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