In this lesson, children learn that God cares about fairness, honesty and worship, and that He gives His people a holy place to live. Ages 5 to 11 can follow this lesson in about 20 to 30 minutes, with plenty of time for drawing and talking.
Big Idea
God is fair and holy, and He wants His people to be fair and honest too. When we follow Him, we honor Him in how we treat others and how we worship.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 45:9
“‘Thus says the Lord the LORD: “Let it suffice you, princes of Israel: remove violence and plunder, and execute justice and righteousness; dispossessing my people,” says the Lord the LORD.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out flat like a balance scale, then slowly lift one hand and then the other as you say “Remove violence, do what is right.” Repeat it with the motions three times so children can feel the words.
The Story: Ezekiel 45 for Kids
God gave the prophet Ezekiel a vision of a new land. The land was going to be divided among God’s people, the tribes of Israel. Part of it was set apart as holy, a special gift to the LORD. The priests and Levites who served at God’s house would each have a place to live near the temple.
God also spoke to the princes of Israel. He said, “Let it be enough for you, princes of Israel.” God told them to stop taking things that did not belong to them and to stop hurting His people. Instead, they were to do what was right and fair.
God wanted honest scales and honest measures when people bought and sold things. A bag of grain or a jar of oil should weigh what it said it weighed. Nobody should cheat a neighbor by using a false measure. God said, “You shall have just balances.” Fairness mattered to Him in every small trade.
The people were to bring offerings to God too. These gifts were used to make things right with God and to care for the worship that happened at the house of the LORD. God set special days to remember Him, including the feast of Passover in the first month. The princes were to help the people celebrate those days with gifts and worship.
The lesson is simple: God’s kingdom is holy and fair, and His people should show it by being honest and by honoring Him with their worship.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 45:1-2
1 “‘“Moreover, when you divide by lot the land for inheritance, you shall offer an offering to the LORD, a holy portion of the land. The length shall be the length of twenty-five thousand reeds, and the width shall be ten thousand. It shall be holy in all its border all around. 2 Of this there shall be a five hundred by five hundred square for the holy place; and fifty cubits for its suburbs all around.
(WEB)
Point out that the land was set apart as holy for the LORD. Ask children what it means for something to belong to God, and how we can show that our lives belong to Him too.
Ezekiel 45:10-11
10 “You shall have just balances, a just ephah, and a just bath. 11 The ephah and the bath shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain one tenth of a homer, and the ephah one tenth of a homer. Its measure shall be the same as the homer.
(WEB)
Show children how these verses talk about just balances and honest measures. Explain that God cares about small things like honest weighing, and that He wants us to be honest in every part of our lives.
Ezekiel 45:17
It shall be the prince’s part to give the burnt offerings, the meal offerings, and the drink offerings, in the feasts, and on the new moons, and on the Sabbaths, in all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the sin offering, the meal offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make atonement for the house of Israel.”
(WEB)
Point out that the prince was responsible for helping the people worship and make things right with God. Talk about how families and leaders today can help others worship God and care for one another.
Talk About It
- What did God want the princes of Israel to stop doing, and what did He want them to start doing instead?
- Why do you think God cares about honest scales and measures?
- What is one way you can be fair with someone this week, like at school or at home?
- Why was a special part of the land set apart as holy for God?
- How can we show God that we care about worshiping Him, even on ordinary days?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Holy Land Map
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a ruler if you have one. Ask children to draw a large rectangle to stand for the land, then draw a smaller square in the middle labeled “Holy for the LORD.” Let them add tiny houses around it for the priests and Levites, and talk about how God’s holy place sat at the center of everything.
Balance Scale Game
You will need a kitchen scale or a simple balance made from a coat hanger and two paper cups, plus dry beans or coins. Have children take turns weighing beans into two cups and checking whether they are equal. Talk about how God wants fair and honest measures, and let them practice saying “just balance” when the scale is even.
Fairness Reminder Card
You will need an index card, a pen, and a sticker or marker to decorate it. Help each child write “Do what is right and fair” on the card and decorate it with a simple balance scale. Encourage them to take it home and put it on the fridge or by their bed as a reminder to be honest and fair this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God cares about justice and honesty in everyday dealings, not only in worship. It also teaches that worship and fair living go together, and that leaders are called to serve the people rather than take from them. The picture of a holy land set apart for God points forward to a deeper holiness that Christians see fulfilled in Christ.
With children, avoid overstating the details of the land measurements or the offering amounts, since those can confuse young learners. Keep the focus on God’s fairness, His holiness, and the call to honest, worshipful living.
A Prayer to Close
Lord God, thank You for being fair and holy. Help us to be honest in everything we do, to do what is right, and to worship You with our whole hearts. Teach us to treat others fairly, just as You treat us. Amen.
