Osteoarthritis, Ezekiel, and Dried Up Bones

Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints affecting around 27 million people. The disease itself is something that does not come on quickly, but occurs over a gradual period of time causing the cartilage to break down or wear away.

Common symptoms include: (NIAMS)

• Soreness or stiffness in the joints more specifically in the hips, knees, and lower back
• A stiffness that goes away after resting from movement in the affected area
• A paint that becomes worse after activity or towards the end of the day.

Potential causes for osteoarthritis include: (Arthritis Foundation)

• Being overweight
• Age
• An injury to the joint
• A joint that is not properly formed
• A genetic defect in the joint cartilage
• Stress on the joints due to certain jobs and/or playing sports

Although there is no cure for the disease, there are ways to alleviate pain, improve mobility, strength, and wile potentially prolonging the full onset of the disease. Potential treatments include: (NIAMS)

• Exercise
• Weight Control
• Rest and joint care
• Nondrug pain relief
• Medicines
• Physical Therapy
• Complementary and alternative therapies
• Surgery

Millions of people are affected by this disease and of those affected; roughly 66% of the cases could be prevented by changing the way they live. (CDC) The idea of taking care of one’s self in order to prevent a problem does not just apply to the physical health, but also one’s spiritual health.

In Ezekiel, God gives Ezekiel a vision and prophesy in regards to the living conditions of the Jewish people. As a consequence for their sins, the Jews had been taken into Babylonian captivity and had become “like (those) dead and dry bones, unlikely ever to come together, to be so much as a skeleton, less likely to be formed into a body, and least of all to be a living body.” (Blueletterbible.com) Even though, God had allowed their captivity, He still had plans to resurrect what seemed to be impossible and to breathe new life into the people.

“‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” (Ezekiel 37:4-5)

Sometimes like our bodies, our spirits can become worn. If we do not ask God to continually breath life into our weariness, we too will become dried bones, gradually baking under the scorching sun of life. God desires to give us life through His son. He wants us to become whole again. Like the Jewish people, he will “attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” (Ezekiel 37:6)

Diseases in general may be prevented, as is the case with a life that has become spiritually depleted. Where do you stand with Him today? Have you become dry bones? Do you desire for Him to breath life into your weary soul? Ask Him to give you new life so that you may live for Him.

Statistical and Background Information References:

**National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

**Arthritis Foundation

**Centers for Disease Control and Prevention