(REFLECTIONS ON EZEKIEL 37:15-28)

Two sticks, one representing the northern kingdom of Israel, and the other representing the southern kingdom of Judah, joined together into one stick in the hand of Ezekiel. Two sticks, divided by inner strife, a family dispute, a broken relationship, joined together, healed, and made whole again.

Two sticks, one representing the Gentiles, and the other representing the Jews, joined together into one stick, united as one. This is the hand of the Lord with one united kingdom under one king, that is Christ. This is unity in Christ, and is what Paul wrote about in his letter to the Ephesians.

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Two become one in Christ represents the healing of relationships, of bringing those that were once related back together, destroying barriers, and the dividing wall of hostility. Two become one in Christ also represents new relationships, relationships that the we once thought were not possible. Two become one in Christ reminds us all things are possible through Him who gives us strength.

May we reflect today on the relationships in our lives that need to be healed in Christ. May we also consider those relationships that we never thought possible that can be formed in Christ.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Ezekiel 37