Q&A: “The Valley of Dry Bones”
Question: What is the meaning of “The Valley of Dry Bones”?
The Valley of Dry Bones is a reference to Ezekiel chapter 37 where we find him being carried away and set down in a valley filled with bones. They are a disconnected, dried up body whose bones are scattered, without life. Their hope is gone.
These ‘bones’ are the House of Israel, the Body of Christ.
…Time to Choose: You Cannot Serve Two Masters
One thing is certain: As it is impossible for a man to mount two horses, so no man can serve/please two masters, you cannot serve God and the pursuit of wealth. You must choose between one or the other. For if you serve the pursuit of mammon, it will be your master. It will govern every decision you make. It will consume you with all that you have. You will never have enough. On the other hand, if God is master/focus, there won’t be enough room to contain the abundance poured out. It is The Valley of Decision, and a choice to be made. In this so-called ‘time of uncertainty’, it’s time for discernment to make certain. Jesus said to pay attention always so ‘that Day’ doesn’t come upon you in unawareness. That Day? What Day? The Day of the Lord! Just like when Moses required the people to make a choice between God’s servant and a rebellious servant. Making the wrong choice was a bad decision.
“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon/pursuit of wealth.
The priests also, who were covetous (that is: fond of money, avaricious or greedy for riches), heard all these things: and they derided/sneered at him. Jesus said to them, ‘You are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.’”
Jesus – Gospel of Luke 16:13-15
The Love of Money
…“…But they that are rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts/desires, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some covet after, they have erred from the faith/truth and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith/truth, love, patience, meekness.”
Apostle Paul – 1 Timothy 6:9-11
Saint Bartholomew Remembered
Bartholomew was an Apostle of Jesus Christ. And with this story, comes the legend of the children of Israel, that is Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham. It highlights a portion in time when the people of God were in transgression and had been scattered throughout the earth, as they are to this day. For their help, He sent them His servants, the Prophets, His own son, Jesus, and his Apostles. In most every instance, they have been met with hostility and persecution because what they had to say was not well received. But they persevered because they had been sent by God Himself to correct His people and turn them back to Him.
August 24, is celebrated and remembered throughout Christendom as the feast day of the Apostle, Bartholomew. He was numbered among the twelve original Apostles who followed Jesus and were witnesses to all that he said and did. Before he died, Jesus sent them out to teach their brethren all things he had taught them. They were all tortured and killed, as Jesus was, for their testimony except one. That one was John who was exiled and from whom we have the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the last book of the Bible. Jesus had twelve Apostles, one for each of the twelve tribes of the House of Israel/Jacob. Bartholomew was also known in the Gospels as Nathaniel. Jesus pointed to him and said, “Behold! an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” (John 1:47)
According to ancient tradition, Christianity was first preached in Armenia by two Apostles of Christ, Thaddeus and Bartholomew. During the first three centuries of Christianity in Armenia its followers had to remain a hidden congregation because of persecution. Indeed Christ led his followers into being persecuted for his name’s sake, as were the Prophets before him. He had told them before-time to expect it. Even Paul/Saul persecuted followers of Christ before his conversion and then after that he himself was killed. (Acts 7-8)
