Study Guide

Ezekiel 37

verses 15–28

In this Sunday’s message, we discussed the prophecy of the Valley of the Dry Bones. Ezekiel 37:11 makes clear that the dry bones are the people of Israel. This guide walks through the relevant passages so you can weigh whether the prophecy’s fulfillment lies in the past — or still ahead.

“Son of man, can these bones live?” — Ezekiel 37:3

For Background

The Twelve Tribes

In Ezekiel 37:15–19, God has the prophet join two sticks — one for Judah, one for Joseph/Ephraim — into a single stick, symbolizing these two kingdoms reunited. Tap each kingdom to see what became of it.

Northern Kingdom — the stick of Joseph/Ephraim

Reuben, Simeon*, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Ephraim (son of Joseph), Manasseh (son of Joseph)

Conquered by Assyria in 722 BC. Much of the population was deported and scattered among the nations, and never returned as a distinct people (2 Kings 17) — this is the "stick" that had gone missing.

Southern Kingdom — the stick of Judah

Judah, Benjamin

Fell later, to Babylon in 586 BC. But after 70 years, a remnant of Judah returned to the land — the kingdom that survived to carry the messianic line forward.

Note: Levi received no territory — set apart for priestly service (Numbers 18; Joshua 21). Ephraim became dominant in the North and sometimes stands in for the whole Northern Kingdom.

Jesus descended from King David. The New Testament presents him as heir to David’s throne (Luke 1:32–33; Luke 3:31; Acts 2:29–30; Rom. 1:3–4; 2 Tim. 2:8; Rev. 22:16). As you study, consider how these relate to Ezekiel 37’s promises.

0 / 12 questions reflected on

Sunday’s Message

Read Ezekiel 37:15–28

List every promise God makes in this passage.

Fall of the North

Read 2 Kings 17

What happened to the Northern Kingdom of Israel?

Why does the text say God allowed this to happen?

What happened to the people who remained in the land after the exile?

The Samaritans

Read John 4:1–26

What does this passage suggest about the identity of the people living in Samaria? Had any of Ezekiel 37’s promises been fulfilled by this point?

Jesus references religious practices of the Samaritans — what are they still doing that led to their fall in 2 Kings 17?

Gospel to Samaria

Read Acts 1:8 & Acts 8:4–25

How do the Samaritans respond to the preaching of the gospel?

Which promises you listed from Ezekiel 37 seem fulfilled here? Which remain arguably unfulfilled?

Vision of the Tribes Restored

Read Revelation 7:1–17 & Revelation 21:1–4

What do you notice about the listing of the twelve tribes?

What might the presence of all twelve tribes suggest in light of Ezekiel 37?

What similarities do you see between Ezekiel 37 and Revelation 21:1–4? What promises will only be fulfilled in the end times?

Conclusion

Where do you land?

Scholars debate whether Jesus’s ministry, the disciples’ preaching in Samaria in Acts, and the Gospel’s application to both Jews and Gentiles shows Ezekiel 37 fulfilled — or whether complete fulfillment only comes with the passages from Revelation. Faithful Christians have reached different conclusions here while affirming the authority of Scripture. Tap each view below to weigh the case for it.

Christ, the heir of David’s throne, brings resurrection life. The gospel goes to Samaria — former territory of the Northern Kingdom — and Samaritans respond and receive the Spirit (Acts 8), joining Jew and half-Israelite under one shepherd. The Church, drawn from every nation, embodies the "one nation, one king" promise of 37:22–24 in a spiritual sense.