In both elementary school and Sunday School I remember singing the words to the popular spiritual, “Dem Bones,” written by author, activist, poet, and songwriter, James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938). The lyrics were based on Ezekiel 37:1-14 and were used to teach children about the human anatomy. Although the song isn’t 100% anatomically correct, the lyrics are memorable and catchy:
.
Ezekiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
Oh, hear the word of the Lord.
The foot bone connected to the leg bone,
The leg bone connected to the knee bone,
The knee bone connected to the thigh bone,
The thigh bone connected to the back bone,
The back bone connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone connected to the head bone,
Oh, hear the word of the Lord!
Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk aroun'
Dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk aroun'
Dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk aroun'
Oh, hear the word of the Lord.
As we continue our April sermon series entitled Living Proof, we are taking a deeper look at the themes of resurrection and renewal in Ezekiel 37:1-14 and the “Dance of the Dry Bones.”
This key story in Ezekiel is obviously more about our spiritual anatomy than our physical anatomy. It is about the restoration of hope and the importance of re-connecting to the spiritual community.
This is a great week to ask God to refresh and revitalize us individually and collectively as the body of Christ. It is also an opportune week to invite someone who has become disconnected to join us for Bible study and worship, and hopefully become re-connected to our spiritual family.
