When we speak of the breathing of life into the army God has created, we have to go a bit more slowly. This could be illustrative of an awakening of national life on the part of the nation of Israel. One could think of the bringing of the Jews out of their "graves" (verse 13) as signifying the return of the Jews from Russia and from the other nations where they have been dispersed.

Perhaps this is true. However, the expression "will put my spirit in you" (verse 14) does not seem to indicate an awakening of a national human spirit. God's Spirit is not a national, soulish spirit. The Spirit of God is God and not man.

Therefore, even if the bringing of the Jews out of their graves is referring to their returning from the nations among which they have been dispersed, it is clear that after they have been brought together they will be filled with God's Holy Spirit.

We would suggest that two events are portrayed here, one involving natural Israel and one involving spiritual Israel. Eventually spiritual Israel and natural Israel will be brought together into one kingdom. Ezekiel, Chapter 37 is speaking of "the whole house of Israel" (verse 11) (reminding us of Paul's expression, "all Israel"—Romans 11:26).

When employing the term "spiritual Israel" we are referring to the members of the Body of Christ. These members are both Jewish and Gentile by race. They constitute an elect whose eyes have been opened while the remainder of the Jews and Gentiles continue in spiritual darkness.

(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. (Romans 11:8)

When employing the term "natural Israel" we are speaking of the physical land and people of Israel. It is our point of view that the land and people of Israel will be filled with eternal life at the coming of Christ. Spiritual Israel, being glorified together with Jesus in the Day of the Lord, will appear from Heaven and bring eternal life to physical Israel.

The good olive tree is Christ. The natural seed of Abraham, the physical Jews, were at one time part of the good olive tree, according to the promise of God. When Christ returns, the natural seed of Abraham will be born again "at once" by the Spirit of God, being grafted back on their tree, the good olive tree, according to the promise of God.

Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. (Isaiah 66:8)

Let us think for a moment about the two events portrayed in Ezekiel, Chapter 37, one involving natural Israel and one involving spiritual Israel. As we have stated previously, spiritual Israel and natural Israel will be brought together into one Kingdom of God; and so we have the expression, "the whole house of Israel," and "all Israel" (Ezekiel 37:11; Romans 11:26).

To be continued.