“Son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, ‘Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord.'” Ezekiel 36:1
Dear Ones:
There are instances in the word of God, when that which we read, exceeds our natural capacity and ability, to believe God. You will remember, after the death of Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, that Jesus went to the grave, which was a cave, a stone laying on its entrance. It had been four days since Lazarus’ death, when Jesus tells Martha: “Take ye away the stone.” (Jn. 11:39) All of a sudden, everything temporarily recoiled in her with regard to the unnatural, and unaccustomed, thing to do. The issue of Lazarus coming back to life, was for her, temporarily impossible. It would be in that moment of “logical” confrontation with his death and Martha’s recoiling reaction to Jesus’ request, that the Lord Jesus would say specifically to her: “Said I not unto thee, that if you would believe, you would SEE the glory of God?” (v.40) Jesus’ call to Martha was one of faith in Him, according to His word. She was called to believe Jesus to be, and to reveal Himself, as that which He had declared, the “resurrection and the life.” (v.25) Because she obeyed, and had the stone removed, she SAW the glory of God.
Ezekiel, with regard to the nation of Israel, also had his “mountain,” or stone to be removed from the entrance to the grave. How so? The Lord will tell Ezekiel to prophesy unto the mountains of Israel. When Ezekiel was to speak to the “mountains of Israel,” it was for the purpose of bringing down God’s blessing upon the nation. “But ye, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.” (36:8) Having known desolation and destruction, because of their rejection of God, God intervenes in His mercy towards Israel to bless her, to bring her again into the land of promise, there to fulfill His will and purpose, and show forth His glory, even saying to her: “…I will settle you after you old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and you shall know that I am the Lord.” (v.11)
Speaking to mountains is one way that faith is manifested. There is also the issue of speaking to bones, very many and very dry. God brings Ezekiel into a valley that is “full” of these bones, declaring to him: “These bones are the whole house of Israel.” (37:11) Before this scene of desolation and lifelessness, the Lord commands Ezekiel to speak to dead, dry bones, in order for God to do that which is impossible. God calls him to “…prophesy unto these bones.” (v.4) Upon obeying, like Martha who obeyed Jesus and had the stone removed from the grave of Lazarus, Ezekiel would also see the glory of God. The bones came together, and flesh covered the bones. However, though flesh had come upon the bones, there was no life in the bodies. Again, the word of the Lord is the dominant, and most significant, factor for the “impossible” change that was to occur. “Say unto the wind, thus says the Lord, ‘Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.'” (v.9) The result of God’s word being proclaimed was that those individuals which were dead, like Lazarus, lived, and stood upon their feet, “…an exceeding great army.” (v.10) The glory of God was revealed, and was seen by men.
What is the great lesson here? It is that God works in His way, according to His word, by the Spirit. He does so in the face of human impossibility, helplessness, even hopelessness. He seeks those who will truly believe and obey Him to do so.
Dear Father, teach us Thy ways, even in face of desolation, impossibility, and hopelessness. Save us ever from the littleness of OUR “impossibilities” and limitations, to believe You for all that You desire to be and to do. Make us to see Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad