Chapter 1: The Background and Setting (Ezekiel 36,37)

The Background and Setting of the events in Ezekiel 38-39 confirm that they are due to happen any time now. These Chapters come after Ezekiel 36 and 37 which describe the Regathering of Israel to her Land, which has been happening progressively over the last 100 years, the highlight being Israel’s Rebirth as a Nation in 1948. 

Ezekiel 36:24: “I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own Land.”

It is clear that this Regathering is initially with Israel in unbelief, because it is only sometime after they have been regathered to the Land that God will revive them spiritually (v25-38). This is confirmed in v21-23 by God saying that He is not regathering them for their sake (because of their faith), but for the honour of His Name, because the scattering of Israel to the nations because of their sin has resulted in His Name being profaned, because it makes it look like the God of the Bible, that is, the God of Israel is not powerful enough to fulfil His promises to His people. So in order to vindicate His Name and Faithfulness to His everlasting Covenant with Israel, God will regather her, even while she is in unbelief. 

This is confirmed in the next Chapter, Ezekiel 37, where Ezekiel sees a Vision of a Valley of scattered Dry Bones. By the first Word of the Lord, the bones came together and sinews and flesh came upon them, and skin covered them over, so that they became a united entity; but there was still no breath (spirit) in them (v1-8). 

Then by the 2nd Word of God, breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army (v9,10).

For the interpretation, Ezekiel is told: “These bones are the whole house of Israel” scattered to the nations (v11). God will first bring them into the land of Israel (v12), THEN be made to come alive spiritually (v13,14). Thus Ezekiel 37 gives the same sequence:

(1) A regathering of the scattered dead bones of Israel (in unbelief).
(2) A spiritual regeneration, once the nation is physically restored. 

First, Israel must be physically resurrected as a nation. She must first be brought back to her Land and be joined together. This is the first step toward their later spiritual restoration at Christ’s Return, when they will permanently settled in the Land in the Millennium.