Valley of Dry Bones

Many commentators interpret Ezekiel 37 to contain prophecies concerning Israel regaining it's national identity as was, as they say, brought about in 1948 with the national state of Israel. Unfortunately for them and their audiences, the plain reading of the scriptures does not support this claim at all.

The Lord promises to open up their graves and cause them to come out of their graves more than once in this chapter. This is said to be symbolism by most claiming this represents the nation of Israel(believing or not) being brought back to the land of their forefathers, but, does it truly reflect the plan of God as was revealed by our Lord Jesus...

John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall here his voice and shall come forth; they that have done good into the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

By the text alone we know that Christ is here speaking of the resurrection in the same language of Ezekiel 37. Much more is the fact that the dead in their graves would here his "voice" and come forth into life or damnation.

Ezekiel 37:7 So as I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there came a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

This term "noise" is literally translated "voice" or "sound(of an instrument)".
So at this voice or sound as if from an instrument, this event would begin.

1 Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the VOICE of the archangel, and with the TRUMP of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

Furthermore, the reason for this resurrection is, as verse 6 depicts, that they would "know that I am the Lord". For Christians to say this chapter's contents are symbolic of the Hebrew nation returning to Palestine is woefully creative. If this were so, then, as we Christians believe, the Jews now residing in the land of Israel would know that the Lord God revealed himself through his only begotten son, Jesus of Nazareth.

....let God be true though every man a liar.

Thus were the visions of mine head....

Two minor observations from Daniel 4...

Dan 4:10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
Dan 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
Dan 4:12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.

There has been some speculation concerning these verses with attempts to make a greater fulfillment of the seven times that pass over the king into a 2520 year period with a few varied and alternating interpretations. The simple interpretation is given by the scriptures themselves in that Nebuchadnezzar would fall into madness for seven years in order to know the power of God to control the affairs of men, government, and history.

Dan 4:32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

The first observation is that, while I currently do not place much confidence in a greater fulfillment, I do find it interesting that Jesus would use similar language to describe what the Kingdom of Heaven would grow into prior to his return...

Mat 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Mat 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Simply put, the tree of Nebuchadnezzar's vision was representative of himself: the ruler of Babylon. While the kingdom would be increasing with the wheat and the tares growing together, it would not only come to resemble the rulership of Babylon, but, would even be named as such.

Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

The second observation is that the Babylonian king was to undergo this madness "until" he knew that the Most High rules. However, it is apparent that he could not have this realization during his appointed time of madness, else his appointed time would be void. The explanation is, again, in the scriptures...

Dan 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Only when his appointed time was done, was his understanding returned to him and upon reflection, he realized the magnitude of what God had caused to befall him and the scope of the Almighty's reign.
While in the flesh are we not mad? While the world is in the power and rule of the wicked one, is it not blinded to the glory of the Most High? Has not Israel according to the flesh been veiled? Yet, when the appointed time comes and Christ is revealed, all will ultimately see and understand.

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.