This lesson teaches children that God sees every wrong thing people do and that he keeps his promises, both to bless and to judge. A child can repeat it this way: God sees what is wrong, and God always keeps his word. The lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God sees everything, and he always does what he says he will do. He is fair, and he takes care of his people even when others try to hurt them.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 35:4
I will lay your cities waste, and you will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
(WEB)
Have the children stand up and stretch out both arms wide, then bring them back to their chests. Say “Then you will know that I am the Lord” as they move, so the words and the motion stay together in their minds.
The Story: Ezekiel 35 for Kids
A long time ago, God sent a prophet named Ezekiel to speak his messages to the people. This time God told Ezekiel to turn and face a mountain called Mount Seir. Mount Seir was the home of the people of Edom, who were neighbors of God’s people, Israel. The people of Edom had been unkind to Israel for a very long time.
When Israel was in trouble, the people of Edom did not help them. They even handed their own neighbors over to people who wanted to hurt them. God saw all of it, and he was not pleased. He told Ezekiel to say that Mount Seir would become empty and quiet, with no one left to live in its cities.
The people of Edom had also been bragging. They said the land of Israel would belong to them, and they laughed at God’s people. God heard every word. He said, “I have heard all your insults.” He made it clear that he was not going to let their cruel words go unanswered.
God did not forget his own people. He wanted Israel to know that he was still with them, even when they felt alone. He wanted the whole world to see that he is the Lord who keeps his promises, both the good ones and the ones about what will happen to those who do wrong.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 35:3-4
3 And tell it, ‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you. I will make you a desolation and an astonishment. 4 I will lay your cities waste, and you will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
(WEB)
Point out the words “Behold, I am against you.” Explain that God was not hiding his feelings about what Edom had done. He told them plainly, so everyone knew where he stood.
Ezekiel 35:10-11
10 “‘“Because you have said, ‘These two nations and these two countries will be mine, and we will possess it;’ whereas the LORD was there: 11 therefore, as I live,” says the Lord the LORD, “I will do according to your anger, and according to your envy which you have shown out of your hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them when I judge you.
(WEB)
Ask the children to listen for the people’s bragging, “These two nations will be mine.” Show them that God answered their pride, and that he hears every word we say, even the proud ones.
Ezekiel 35:12-13
12 You will know that I, the LORD, have heard all your insults which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They have been laid desolate. They have been given us to devour.’ 13 You have magnified yourselves against me with your mouth, and have multiplied your words against me. I have heard it.”
(WEB)
Point out that God says “I have heard it.” Remind children that God hears their prayers and also knows when they have said something unkind. Nothing is hidden from him.
Talk About It
- What did the people of Edom do to their neighbors that God did not like?
- Why do you think God wanted Ezekiel to tell the mountain what would happen?
- How does it feel to know that God hears everything we say?
- What is one way we can be kind to a neighbor, even when they are different from us?
- What does it tell us about God that he always keeps his promises?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Mountain and a Watching Eye
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Have each child draw a tall brown mountain across the bottom of the page. Then have them draw a large open eye at the top, to show that God sees everything. Talk together about how God’s eye reaches even to the faraway mountains.
Stretch Out, Then Stand Still
You will need an open space in your room or classroom and nothing else. Have children stretch out their arms wide like God’s hand in the story, then hold still while you count to five. Say together that God sees everything and keeps his word. Repeat a few times, and let children take turns leading the movement.
God Hears Me Jar
You will need an empty jar, a few paper strips, and a pen. Each day for a week, have the child write one kind thing they said or did on a paper strip, then drop it in the jar. Remind them that God hears and sees all of it. At the end of the week, read the strips together and thank God for each one.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is not indifferent to injustice. Edom had a long history of hostility toward Israel, and God announces that he will hold them accountable. The chapter also shows that God’s judgment is tied to his character: he hears the insults and rejoicing of the nations against his people, and he responds.
With children, avoid overstating the violence or treating the passage as a picture of how every person who does wrong will be treated right now. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness, his awareness of our actions, and his care for his people. The chapter is an announcement to a specific nation in a specific time, so present it as history rather than a rule for daily life.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you see everything we do and hear everything we say. Help us to be kind to the people around us, and help us to trust that you always keep your promises. Keep us safe in your care. Amen.
