The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode Summary: Day 231 – The Valley of Dry Bones

Date: August 19, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Scripture Readings: Jeremiah 8; Ezekiel 30, 37-38; Proverbs 14:33-35

Overview

This episode centers on the profound prophetic images in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, especially the famous "Valley of Dry Bones." Fr. Mike walks listeners through Israel’s spiritual death and hope of restoration, reflecting on how God’s Spirit revives the hopeless. He connects Old Testament promises to Christ the Messiah, highlighting God's persistent faithfulness, even in the darkest moments. The episode ties these ancient narratives to modern spiritual struggles, emphasizing hope, repentance, and the transformative power of God’s word.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jeremiah’s Lament and the Consequences of Idolatry

• Prophetic Warning Before Destruction:
  • Jeremiah 8 describes the bones of Judah's leaders being brought out and spread before the sun, a symbolic consequence for pursuing false gods.
  • “All these false gods that the people of Judah, God’s own people…have gone after foreign gods…Okay, you can have them…and you will belong to those people as slaves.” (18:34)
• Sin’s Deadly Cycle:
  • The people are described as persistently turning away from God, refusing to repent, and clinging to deceit.
  • “They promise everything and they take everything. That’s just such a difficult word.” (21:02)
• Analogy of Birds and Spiritual Blindness:
  • Jeremiah points out that even migratory birds know when to move, but Israel ignores God’s warnings.
  • “How can you say, ‘we are wise and the law of the Lord is with us?’ But behold, the false pen of the scribes has made it into a lie.” (22:36)

2. Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones: Hope After Total Loss

• Jeremiah Preaches Before the Fall, Ezekiel After:
  • Jeremiah warns while Jerusalem still stands; Ezekiel speaks when all seems lost after the fall.
• The Powerful Vision (Ezekiel 37):
  • In the vision, dry bones—symbolizing Israel’s utter hopelessness—are revived by God’s spirit at the prophet’s command.
  • “If you see a bunch of bones, there’s no future for the bones. There’s only past. Right? It’s…over with. And yet God says, prophesy…Speak the Word of God…And they all come together.” (24:17)
  • “Our bones are dried up and our hope is lost. We are clean cut off.” (27:18)
  • “Here’s God who says, ‘I promise I will put my spirit within you and you shall live and I will place you in your own land.’” (28:00)
• Spiritual Application:
  • God uses even devastation to call His people back, not to destroy them but to restore and convert their hearts.
  • “God has used Babylon not to destroy his people, but to call his people back to him…God has used what looks like complete destruction to convert their hearts…” (29:09)

3. The Two Sticks: Reunification and Messianic Hope

• Reuniting Israel and Judah:
  • Ezekiel’s symbolic action with two sticks (Judah and Israel) represents God’s intention to reunite all His people under one king.
  • The prophecy of a new Davidic ruler foreshadows Christ.
  • “Here’s Ezekiel…saying, ‘I will restore all of the nations and I will bring back King David.’” (30:30)
  • “They’re looking for this promise here in chapter 37…that future king in the line of David…who would be the one shepherd.” (31:24)
  • Fr. Mike connects this anticipation to Jesus, the Messiah, who fulfills the promise as King and Shepherd for Jew and Gentile alike.
  • “Jesus Christ reestablishing the kingdom with himself as the king…is able to bring all peoples to himself.” (32:31)

4. The Mysterious Gog of Magog (Ezekiel 38)

• Prophecy Against Gog:
  • Fr. Mike reads the prophecy of a mysterious adversary who will attack restored Israel, only to be supernaturally defeated by God.
• On Interpretive Mystery:
  • The true identity of ‘Gog’ remains unknown; possible historical links exist but are inconclusive.
  • “Who’s Gog? And the answer is—it’s a mystery…If you want to do some extra research on that, that’d be great.” (33:38)

5. Proverbs and Concluding Prayer

• Proverbs 14:33-35 Recap:
  • Wisdom, righteousness, and integrity are highlighted as the true foundations of a blessed life and nation.
• Closing Prayer:
  • Emphasizes that the same Spirit who restored dry bones brings life to our hopeless areas.
  • “We ask you to send that Spirit…the Spirit that came upon the dry bones as Ezekiel prophesied…to bring us to life.” (14:11, prayer segment)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Idolatry and Enslavement:
  • “Our idols enslave us…when we belong to [God]…we belong to the Lord as sons and daughters. But…we are the slaves of those things that we give our heart to. Except God…” (19:36)
• Prophetic Hope amid Ruin:
  • “God has used what looks like complete destruction to convert their hearts so that…we can know that he is the Lord God, truly and forever.” (29:15)
• On God’s Spirit at Work:
  • “Above all, let’s share God’s grace with all of us. That Ezekiel spoke, he preached, he prophesied, and the Spirit of God came upon dry bones.” (34:18)
• Encouragement to Listeners:
  • “We ask the Lord…to send his Holy Spirit into the dry bone areas of our lives where we think that we’re done…There is hope. Wherever the Lord is present, there is always, always hope.” (34:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction and Readings – 00:04–14:10
• Prayer for the Holy Spirit – 14:11–15:35
• Jeremiah’s Bones and the Danger of Idolatry – 15:36–21:35
• Spiritual Blindness and False Prophets – 21:36–24:05
• Ezekiel 37: Valley of Dry Bones – 24:06–28:50
• Promise of Restoration & The Two Sticks – 28:51–32:50
• Messianic Fulfillment in Christ – 32:51–33:20
• Prophecy against Gog and Interpretive Notes – 33:21–34:30
• Personal Reflection, Hope, and Final Blessing – 34:31–End

Conclusion

Fr. Mike emphasizes hope, even in devastation, as God is in the business of resurrection—both for Israel and for us. The theme of dry bones brought to life by God’s Spirit becomes a metaphor for our own spiritual revival. The episode closes with encouragement: “Wherever the Lord is present, there is always, always hope” (34:47).

For Reflection

• Where are the “dry bones” in your life needing restoration?
• How do you respond to God’s call through times of loss or crisis?
• What idols do you risk loving more than the Lord who calls you a son or daughter?

Recommended Action: Listen to tomorrow’s episode for the continuation of Ezekiel’s vision and further reflection on God’s power to restore and renew.