A "Dry Bones Case"

Many of us have been riveted from its beginning to the Casey Anthony murder trial. Even as far back as its inception in the summer of 2008, the media have filled its images on television and in newspapers of the beautiful little two-year-old who was not reported missing until thirty-one long days after her disappearance. The case seemed without a doubt to indicate that her mother either killed her by premeditating her murder or by accident and then covering it up. Most of us were outraged last week to hear a jury of twelve pronounce Casey Anthony not guilty on the three most important charges against her. She was found guilty of merely lying to investigators several times. Afterward, one of the law spokesmen said that the case was difficult to prove because it was a "dry bones case." In other words, the six month period of time between the missing child and the discovery of her body was simply too long to prove definitely the cause of death. "Is there no justice on earth any longer?" we ask.

Unfortunately, we know the answer to the question at the moment it is raised. Thousands of children, young women, and men disappear (or are murdered each year) and become "cold cases" after a few months or years. Among the most notable in recent years include Jonbenet Ramsey, Morgan Nick, Natalee Holloway, Kyron Hormon, among many. As Christians, we often comfort ourselves with Biblical truths: that while justice might not be found on earth, there will be justice in eternity.

One of the passages I thought of when I heard the spokesman's description of the case brought to mind the famous passage in Ezekiel 37, verses 1-14. Ezekiel's vision describes a scene of desolation when he finds himself in a valley full of dry bones. God calls upon the four winds to "breathe on these slain, that they may live." Miraculously, the "dry bones" begin to rise to their feet and represent a "great army." I too believe that the bodies of the slain victims will one day rise again and justice for the murderers will be everlasting. Until then, we wait.