COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:12-14
Ezekiel preaches the Word to the dry bones of Israel and they come to life. Ezekiel is a prophet to the exiles in Babylon. This Lesson comes from the section of the book that depicts a restoration of Jerusalem and its temple. He sees the Hebrews in exile as dead in hope because they are separated from the holy city and temple. God commands Ezekiel to preach to the dead bones and the Spirit brings life to the bodies. Through the preached Word, the Spirit of God brings new life and hope to a defeated, exiled people.

Epistle: Romans 8:8-11
Christians live not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. A Christian experiences death and resurrection. The believer dies to the "flesh" and rises in the Spirit. "Flesh" is a term denoting evil, s…