A Short Bible Study: “Sinews – God Builds Strength First”

“I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 37:6 NKJV)

The Dry Bones Come Alive

In Ezekiel 37, the prophet looks out over a valley full of very dry bones. These bones are a picture of Israel, scattered, hopeless, and spiritually dead. But God doesn’t instantly snap His fingers and make them alive. He works in a beautiful, orderly way:

Bones come together, bone to bone. Then the Lord says, “I will put sinews on you…” After that comes flesh, then skin, and finally breath, the ruach, the Spirit of the living God — and they stand up, a mighty army.

What Does “Sinews” Mean?

The word “sinews” here is the old English word for tendons, those tough, strong cords that connect the muscles to the bones and hold the whole body together.

In the Hebrew it’s giddim, strong cords, like cables. God specifically puts these sinews in place before He adds the flesh. He builds the structure and the strength first.

A Powerful Picture

Folks, isn’t that just like our God? He doesn’t do things halfway. Without those sinews the bones might line up, but they would have no stability, no power to stand or to move. God starts with strength. He binds things together before He fills them with life.

This is such a wonderful picture of both national Israel’s restoration and of what God wants to do in each of our lives. He rebuilds from the inside out, structure first, then Spirit.

Personal Application ~ Strong Sinews for Runners (and All of Us)

Now as I read this passage the other night the Lord spoke to me about my own Achilles tendon problems from ultra running.

Isn’t it interesting how the physical matches the spiritual? Those tendons are strong but they need to be strengthened with the right kind of loading, not just stretching, but wise, progressive strength work.

That’s exactly what the Lord does with us. When we feel dry and broken, He doesn’t always fix everything in one moment.

First He puts spiritual sinews on us, He strengthens our inner man, builds character, binds us to Himself. Then He pours in His life and power by the Holy Spirit.

Key Lesson

God is a God who strengthens before He sends us out.

He builds the framework. He puts sinews on the bones. And then He breathes His Spirit into us so that we might live and know that He is the Lord.

Prayer & Reflection

Father, we thank You for this wonderful vision You gave to Ezekiel. Thank You that You are the God who brings life to dry bones.

Put Your sinews on us, Lord. Strengthen every weak place in our lives. Build structure, build strength, and then fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit.

We want to live for Your glory and we want to know that You are the Lord.

In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.