The Valley of Dry Bones

God carries Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones — very dry, the text insists. 'Can these bones live?' God asks. God commands him to prophesy to the bones. There is a rattling sound. Bone connects to bone. Tendons appear, then flesh, then skin. But there is no breath. God commands him to prophesy to the wind: 'Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.' Breath enters them and they stand up — a vast army. 'These bones are the people of Israel,' God says. 'I will open your graves and bring you up from them.'