The short answer to this question can be found in the next two verses of the same chapter (verses 21-22). But let’s take a closer look.

When Solomon died his son Rehoboam took the throne. One of his first decisions as king divided the nation of Israel into what would eventually be known as the Northern (Israel) and Southern (Judah) Kingdoms (1 Kings 12). God had prophesied both this division and also its eventual restoration. The Scripture we are looking at in Ezekiel is just such a passage.

Ezekiel was told to take two sticks, one that represented Israel (the Northern Kngdom is also referred to as Ephraim in prophecy) and one that represented Judah (the Southern Kingdom). These sticks were to be bound together as one, picturing the restoration of the nation into a single united kingdom. 

In context, verses 21-22 tell us exactly what Ezekiel is talking about “And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:” (Ezekiel 37:21-22)

Many times we can find an answer to the question we have by simply continuing to read. Sometimes we must be a little more familiar with the whole to discern an answer, but be careful not to make Scripture more difficult than it is. Never ignore a clear statement or the context of a passage in the Word of God.

Ezekiel will go on to prophecy the future results of this restoration in chapters 36 & 37: The re-gathering of Israel and Judah will be from every nation of their Diaspora to their God-given land (Israel); they will once again become known as God’s people, be given new hearts, learn to hate their old sin, enjoy the blessings of their rebuilt future temple (singular), be ruled over by God and justified among the nations. The Bible is clear that no tribe of Israel has ever been lost (James 1:1; Acts 26:7 and several others).

You and I are living in exciting times. Jesus’ return is soon and we are watching the beginning of this restoration with our very eyes. Ezekiel’s prophecy of the nation of Israel being restored as dry bones to life began in 1948 (Ezekiel 37:1-14). We are seeing the bones come together, the muscles forming and the skin covering the body as a nation. Separate from this activity is the breath that God will restore to the nation in the future that I believe is a picture of their eventual identification and acceptance of the Son of God – Jesus – as their Messiah. The sad part is that they must deal with the Antichrist before they recognize their Christ. Still, Israel is the safest place to be on earth as it is the only nation God guarantees will survive! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).