Pentecost Season · Pentecost Sunday: Vigil · Year C
Ezekiel 37:1-14 or Joel 3:1-5
The Valley of Dry Bones / The Outpouring of the Spirit
June 4, 2028
Overview & Insights
"Then he said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.'" (Ezekiel 37:9)
Ezekiel is set down in a valley of dry bones and commanded to prophesy breath, ruach, into them, a vision of Israel's national restoration that becomes a natural type for the Spirit's life-giving descent at Pentecost. The alternate, Joel 3:1-5 (Hebrew 3:1-5, corresponding to the passage Peter quotes at Pentecost), promises that God will pour out his spirit on all flesh.
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Ezekiel 37 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Walks through the valley of dry bones as both a vision and its stated national interpretation.
Ezekiel 37 Commentary Precept Austin
Compiles multiple commentators on the resurrection imagery of the dry bones.
Ezekiel 37:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries together on the valley vision and the command to prophesy.
Ezekiel 37 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight
Barnes explains the vision's setting during the exile and its promise of restoration.
Commentary on Ezekiel 37:1-14 Working Preacher
A Lutheran preaching voice on how the vision moves from despair to Spirit-given hope.
Joel 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Covers the alternate reading's promise of the Spirit poured out on all flesh.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew text word by word for the prophecy to the breath.
Ezekiel 37:1-14 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Preaching-focused reflection on hope for a people who say their bones are dried up.
Background & Word Study
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on John 7:37-39
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.