When people think of Ezekiel, often they are familiar with the valley of dry bones. Have you read or heard of the vision of the valley of dry bones before? Have you seen this story portrayed in popular culture?
This text is one of the most “literary” of the prophetic works, that is to say, it reads as though it was intended to be read, and not heard. Do you agree with this assessment? Feel free to read it aloud and then to yourself to compare.
What do you think about the temple imagery at the end of the Book of Ezekiel? Why do you think the idea of a temple, especially a new one that calls back to the original Tabernacle, is important to Ezekiel? What message do you think it sends?
Who is represented in the valley of dry bones? Is this merely a historical reference, or can this answer be reinterpreted over time?
Applying the Text:
The reconstituting of the dead bones mirrors, in reverse, the standard burial practice in ancient Israel of allowing the body to decompose before collecting the bones. What would be the equivalent to this in our modern day, or for your own standard burial practices? Would it be more or less effective?
What do you think about the prophet Ezekiel having studied this book? Have your opinions changed? How does Ezekiel compare to other major prophets, like Daniel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah?