In Ezekiel 37, the prophet stands in a valley filled with dry bones...lifeless, scattered, and seemingly beyond restoration. Yet God asks him, "Can these bones live?" Ezekiel wisely responds, "Sovereign Lord, you alone know."
This vision was about Israel’s restoration but also serves as a powerful metaphor for marriages that seem beyond repair. There are unions so broken, so devoid of love, trust, and connection, that they appear like those bones—dried out, fragmented, and incapable of revival. But if God has declared life over a marriage, no situation is too far gone.
However, notice that the bones didn’t instantly transform into a living army. There was a process, an ordered reconstruction dictated by God’s word. In the same way, when God restores a marriage, He often does so in stages, with each step carrying deep significance.
Bone to Bone – Rebuilding the Structure The first thing God did was bring bone to bone. This speaks of restoring alignment and foundation. In marriage, this could mean returning to God’s original design—realigning priorities, rebuilding broken trust, reestablishing roles, and acknowledging each other’s place in the covenant. It is a time of reconnecting, reordering, and reaffirming commitment.
Sinew – Strengthening the Bond Next came the sinews, the tendons that hold the bones together. Sinews signify the strength and resilience needed to sustain a marriage. This could mean reintroducing communication, rebuilding emotional intimacy, and strengthening spiritual unity. Just as sinews keep the body from falling apart, these elements ensure that a marriage doesn’t crumble under pressure.
Flesh – Restoring What Was Lost The flesh came next, covering the bones and sinews. Flesh represents the outward expressions of love, affection, and care. In a resurrected marriage, this might be the return of tenderness, kindness, and the small acts of love that once defined the relationship. It is the rekindling of what made the marriage thrive in the first place.
Skin – Protection and Covering After the flesh, the skin covered them. Skin protects and keeps everything intact. In a restored marriage, this could symbolize setting boundaries, guarding the relationship from external threats, and covering each other in prayer and grace. It is a sign of preservation and commitment to maintaining what God is rebuilding.
The Breath of God – True Restoration Even after all these steps, the bodies remained lifeless until the breath of God entered them. This final act was the defining moment—without it, they were fully formed but still without life. The breath represents the Spirit of God, the very essence that revives, empowers, and sustains a marriage. A marriage can be structurally repaired, emotionally mended, and externally restored, but without God’s Spirit, it will lack true life. His breath brings love, joy, peace, and purpose back into the union.
Speaking as God Commanded – Choosing Faith Over the Obvious Ezekiel prophesied as he was commanded. He didn’t argue with reality; he spoke God’s word over what appeared lifeless. In marriage, this means choosing to believe God’s promises over the visible ruins. It is declaring restoration when everything looks hopeless, standing firm on His word even when emotions and circumstances say otherwise.
If God has declared life over a marriage, no matter how dry the bones are, restoration is possible. But it happens through a process—realigning, strengthening, restoring, protecting, and finally, being revived by His Spirit. Our part is to trust, obey, and speak as He commands. His part is to breathe life into what seemed long dead, turning brokenness into a testimony of His power.
What is God saying about that seemingly lifeless marriage?
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