Holness ‘preaches’ Dry Bones sermon

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says the biblical story of the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel's vision of the Valley of Dry Bones offers "a blueprint for national resurrection."

"God, in this scripture, shows us that he uses people -- leaders, prophets, voices, the church -- to call for restoration, reconstruction and revitalisation, and he will breathe life," Holness stated.

"'The nation has to say, sovereign Lord, you alone know how'," he quoted Ezekiel, emphasising the need for humility and divine guidance in challenging times.

The prime minister was speaking during Sunday's Deliverance Evangelistic Association Inc. 49th Camp Meeting at Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre on Waltham Park Road in Kingston.

Ezekiel 37 describes the prophet's vision of a valley filled with dry bones that are brought back to life by the breath of God. The dry bones represent the hopeless condition of the Israelites during their exile. Their scattered state symbolises disunity and lifelessness. When God breathes life into them, the bones come together to form a strong, united force.

Holness highlighted the importance of spiritual revitalisation in national development, stating, "There are things that we can do to rattle those bones and cause the muscles and sinews and flesh to grow, but we must also recognise that the real quality of life comes when we surrender to the Lord and allow true morality and spirituality to come into our lives."

He also encouraged Jamaicans not to lose hope when they feel like they are in the valley of dry bones.

"Let us be in the valley. Let us do what we can. If your objective is to get fit, yes, go to the gym. If it is to save for that house, give up the gambling or the fancy clothes," he said.

Holness prayed for the spirit of God to breathe afresh on every dry place and for Jamaica to come alive economically, socially and spiritually in 2025.

"May the Deliverance Evangelistic Association continue to be the prophetic voice, the Ezekiel of the nation," he said.