In this lesson, children learn that God is in charge of every nation, even the powerful ones that think they are in charge of themselves. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is the one in charge, and nothing is too big or too strong for him to handle. He keeps his promises to his people, even when proud rulers think they can do whatever they want.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 29:9
The land of Egypt will be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the LORD. “‘“Because he has said, ‘The river is mine, and I have made it;’
(WEB)
Teach the children to raise both hands high, then slowly bring them down to rest on their knees. Each time they say the verse, they should raise and lower their hands together, reminding them that God brings down the proud and keeps his word.
The Story: Ezekiel 29 for Kids
Long ago, God gave a message to his prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel lived with the people of Israel, who had been taken away from their home and were living in a faraway land. God told Ezekiel to speak to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, who was very proud and very powerful.
Pharaoh thought the great river Nile belonged only to him. He said, “My river is my own, and I made it for myself.” But God knew Pharaoh was wrong. God said he would catch Pharaoh like a big fish, with hooks in his jaws, and pull him out of the water onto dry land.
God explained that the land of Egypt would become empty and quiet for forty years. Egypt had been a strong nation, but now it would be a lonely place where no people or animals walked. Egypt had once been like a stick the people of Israel leaned on for help, but when they leaned on it, it broke and hurt them. God wanted the Egyptians to learn that he was the true Lord.
After forty years, God promised he would gather the Egyptian people back together from the places where they had been scattered. He would bring them home again. But Egypt would no longer be a proud, powerful nation. It would be a small and lowly kingdom, and it would never again be the thing people trusted most.
God also spoke about a king named Nebuchadnezzar, who had worked very hard to capture the city of Tyre. Nebuchadnezzar and his soldiers had worked hard, but they had not been paid for their work. So God said he would give them the land of Egypt as their reward. God uses even the powers of the world to do his plans.
At the end of the chapter, God promised that one day he would cause a horn to grow for his people, a sign of strength and hope. Then everyone would know that he is the Lord.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 29:3
Speak and say, ‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great monster that lies in the middle of his rivers, that has said, ‘My river is my own, and I have made it for myself.’
(WEB)
Point out that Pharaoh was proud and thought the river was his own. Ask the children what it means to be proud, and why God does not like it when people think they are better than everyone else.
Ezekiel 29:6-7
6 “‘“All the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. 7 When they took hold of you by your hand, you broke, and tore all their shoulders. When they leaned on you, you broke, and paralyzed all of their thighs.”
(WEB)
Show how Egypt was like a broken stick that people leaned on for help. Explain that people and nations can let us down, but God never breaks his promises to us.
Ezekiel 29:21
“In that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
(WEB)
Point to the hopeful ending of the chapter. Explain that God promised good things for his people in the future, and that he always keeps his word even when we cannot see how.
Talk About It
- What did Pharaoh say about the river, and why was that not true?
- How do you think the people of Israel felt when they saw God keep his promises?
- Can you think of a time when someone seemed very strong, but God was still stronger?
- What is one way we can show that we trust God to be in charge of our lives?
- What does it feel like to know that God is powerful and also loves his people?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Fish Craft
You will need paper plates, markers, scissors, glue, and yarn. Have each child draw a fish on a paper plate and cut it out. Let them add scales and a mouth. Then help them tie a piece of yarn to the mouth to show the hook God put in Pharaoh’s jaw. Talk about how God can pull even the proudest person down.
Stand Tall and Sit Down Game
Ask the children to stand tall like a proud king while you call out “Pharaoh!” Then call out “God is in charge!” and have them slowly sit down on the floor. Repeat the game a few times, speeding up or slowing down. Explain that God brings down the proud, and that he is always in control.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, crayons, and a hole punch. Have each child write or draw one thing that reminds them God is in charge. Punch a hole in the corner and add a loop of string so they can hang it on their bedroom doorknob. Encourage them to read it each morning as they leave for the day.
Teacher Notes
This chapter reminds adults that God is sovereign over all nations, not just the people who follow him. Pharaoh thought he controlled the Nile and his own destiny, but God showed that every power on earth answers to him. The chapter also shows God’s faithfulness to Israel, even when his people had been scattered and were feeling forgotten.
When teaching children, avoid making the story sound like God is simply angry or looking for revenge. Keep the focus on God being in charge and keeping his promises, since the chapter also includes a promise of restoration and hope for the future.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank you that you are in charge of everything, even the biggest and strongest nations in the world. Help us to remember that we can trust you and be humble, just like children who know their parents are always looking out for them. Thank you for keeping your promises to us every day. Amen.
