16 "And you, son of man , take for yourself one stick and write on it, 'For Judah and for the sons of Israel , his companions '; then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph , the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel , his companions .' 17 "Then join them for yourself one to another into one stick , that they may become one in your hand . 18 "When the sons of your people speak to you saying , 'Will you not declare to us what you mean by these ?' 19 say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD , "Behold , I will take the stick of Joseph , which is in the hand of Ephraim , and the tribes of Israel , his companions ; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah , and make them one stick , and they will be one in My hand ."'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 37:16-19
Commentary on Ezekiel 37:15-28
(Read Ezekiel 37:15-28)
This emblem was to show the people, that the Lord would unite Judah and Israel. Christ is the true David, Israel's King of old; and those whom he makes willing in the day of his power, he makes to walk in his judgments, and to keep his statutes. Events yet to come will further explain this prophecy. Nothing has more hindered the success of the gospel than divisions. Let us study to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; let us seek for Divine grace to keep us from detestable things; and let us pray that all nations may be obedient and happy subjects of the Son of David, that the Lord may be our God, and we may be his people for evermore.