Preaching to the Dry Bones

I

Preachers may from Ezekiel’s case
Draw hope in this declining day.
A proof like this of sovereign grace
Should chase our unbelief away.

II

When sent to preach to mould’ring bones,
Who could have thought he would succeed?
But well he knew the Lord from stones
Could raise up Abr’am’s chosen seed.

III

Can these be made a num’rous host,
And such dry bones new life receive?
The prophet answer’d⁠—“Lord, thou know’st
They shall, if thou commandment give.”

IV

Like him around I cast my eye,
And oh! what heaps of bones appear;
Like him, by Jesus sent I’ll try,
For he can cause the dead to hear.

V

Hear, ye dry bones, the Saviour’s word,
He who when dying gasp’d⁠—“Forgive,”⁠—
That gracious sinner-loving Lord
Says⁠—“Look to me, dry bones, and live.”

VI

Thou heav’nly wind, awake and blow,
In answer to the prayer of faith.
Now thine almighty infl’ence show,
And fill dry bones with living breath.

VII

O make them hear and feel and shake,
And at thy call obedient move.
The bonds of death and Satan break,
And bone to bone unite in love.