The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.”
—Ezekiel 37:1-3
Perhaps you have watched some sort of courtroom drama in which the lawyer asks the witness a question that would normally require either a yes or a no answer. But the witness attempts to provide more information than a one word answer. On TV the lawyer interrupts the explanation of the witness with these words, “Just answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
In Ezekiel 37 the Lord GOD asks Ezekiel a question that seems to require a one word answer either in the affirmative or in the negative. Yet Ezekiel does not affirm or deny the question. Instead he answers, “O Lord GOD, you know.”
Here is the dialogue:
Lord GOD: Son of man, can these bones live?
Ezekiel: O Lord GOD, you know.
Why did Ezekiel answer in this manner? Why did he not give the courtroom answer of yes or no?
As I pondered these questions, I was left to think that there probably is application for my own prayer life. Whether or not God actually asks such a question of me, often I come to pray about issues in which I really have no clue as to what is best. Here are some examples,
Can God heal my loved one who is very sick?
Can God provide for something that I’ve had my eye on for some time?
Can God mend the broken relationship with that estranged family member?
Obviously, the answer to a “Can God” question must be a resounding yes. Yes, God can.
And I find that if I want to be super spiritual, I will voice my prayer request so that the answer must be “yes”. On the other hand, if I don’t want to be disappointed I may only hint at my request afraid of a “no” answer from the Lord.
Let’s look at those questions that are often our prayer requests again.
Can God heal? Of course he can. But sometimes our loved ones die.
Can God provide? Again, of course he can. But even the best of praying people don’t get everything for which they ask.
Can God mend? You know the answer - yes, he can. But sometimes we go to our graves without finding reconciliation.
Ezekiel’s answer to the Lord’s query is perfect. I’m sure he would love to see the Lord at work making those dry bones live. On the other hand, Ezekiel knew that dry bones coming to life was not an every day occurrence.
At the heart of the prophet’s answer is a good understanding of two of the three omni attributes of God.
God is Omnipotent (all-powerful).
God is Omniscient (all-knowing).
God is Omnipresent (all-present).
If we say these another way, it might help us understand.
There is nothing God cannot do.
There is nothing God does not know.
There is nowhere God is not.
So what does all of this have to do with Ezekiel’s answer? Let’s focus on God’s omnipotence and his omniscience.
Ezekiel could not answer God’s question with a “No”. God is all powerful. He can do whatever he chooses to do. A negative answer from Ezekiel would have denied the power of God.
Ezekiel could not answer the question with a “Yes”. God is all knowing. Perhaps he knows something which would make it best not to make the bones live. To give a blanket yes to the question is to presume upon the will of God. Prayer is not twisting God’s arm until he agrees with our wisdom. We wrestle until we are able to say as did the Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done (Luke 22:42).”
Prayer is not twisting God’s arm until he agrees with our wisdom.
The best answer to God’s question about these things is the answer given by Ezekiel. “O Lord GOD, you know.”
Can these bones live?
“O Lord GOD, you know.”
Can you heal my sick loved one?
“O Lord GOD, you know.”
Can you provide this thing for me?
“O Lord GOD, you know.”
Can you mend my broken relationship?
“O Lord GOD, you know.”
When we pray with this answer in mind, we demonstrate a confidence in the omnipotent and omniscient Lord GOD.
All of this does not mean we can’t ask God. We are limited in power, and He is the one to whom we turn and ask. We are limited in knowledge, and He is the one who’s wisdom we seek.
When your loved one is sick, this might be the way to voice your prayer.
Lord, my loved one is sick. I cannot make them well. I don’t even know if it is best that they be made whole. With my limited knowledge, I ask you to heal them. But Lord, I am not God. You are. So hear my prayer but nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done. In the end I will glorify your name because I know you work all things for your glory and for our good.
I’m glad that the things which concern me are not left to my own power or wisdom. I’m glad our God is one who bids us come to him in times of concern.
Look to him, my dear Christian. Look to him.