Today the Visual Commentary on Scripture continues to explore Ezekiel Chapter 37, the vision of the valley of dry bones. You can find a reflection here which focuses on the extraordinary Synagogue murals at Dura-Europos which date from the year 250CE. They include stunning depictions of scenes from the prophetic writings.
Hopes of a Messiah, an anointed one, were all the rage in the period known as the “inter-testamental period”, or Second Temple Judaism. This was the period after the restoration of the Jerusalem temple following exile and the time of Jesus. It was a turbulent period, with the hopes and dreams of the Jewish people subjected to all sorts of humiliation and hardship as empires continued to sweep through their lands and assert their control. In this context, the hope of a Messiah (anointed one) that would come and deliver them from it all was strong. As we approach Palm Sunday in a couple of weeks, that’s the context in which Jesus was initially acclaimed in Jerusalem.
The desire for leaders that will cure our ills is a strong one. But do they offer the whole picture? The creator of these murals added a literal answer: the hand of God is involved too, working through prophetic voices. Not always straightforward, and a lot of discernment is needed, but can God can speak through as as we try to follow the great commandment of Jesus to love one another.
As you reflect on the image today, here’s some beautiful music for reflection.
Place of Wondering 