In this lesson, children learn that God is the one who speaks about the nations of the world, and that He sees what happens to everyone, even the people who are not His own. Kids ages 5 to 11 can follow it in about 20 to 30 minutes, and it works well for a small group or a family table.
Big Idea
God knows what is happening to every people and every place, and He cares about the sadness of others too.
Memory Verse
Isaiah 15:5
My heart cries out for Moab! Her nobles flee to Zoar, to Eglath Shelishiyah; for they go up by the ascent of Luhith with weeping; for on the way to Horonaim, they raise up a cry of destruction.
(WEB)
Have children cup both hands over their heart as they say the words slowly together. Then have them lift their hands open, like giving something away to God. Repeat it three times, getting softer each time.
The Story: Isaiah 15 for Kids
Long ago, God gave the prophet Isaiah a message about a land called Moab. Moab was a neighbor to God’s people, and its towns were well known. Isaiah saw in his message that, in one night, the important city of Ar would be destroyed and brought to nothing. Then the city of Kir would be destroyed too.
The people of Moab were very sad. They climbed up to the high places and to the towns of Dibon and Nebo to cry. Some people shaved their heads and cut their beards, which was a way of showing deep grief. In the streets, people dressed in rough cloth called sackcloth, and everyone was crying loudly.
The cries spread from town to town. Heshbon called out to Elealeh, and the sound reached all the way to Jahaz. The brave soldiers of Moab cried out too, and they felt scared inside. Their hearts were shaking, because they could see that their land was in trouble.
Isaiah himself felt the pain. He said, in his own heart, that he cried for Moab. The nobles ran away to a place called Zoar, weeping as they went. The waters of Nimrim dried up, and the green grass was gone. People carried away whatever goods they could, but the sorrow followed them everywhere.
Read It Together
Isaiah 15:1
The burden of Moab. For in a night, Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing. For in a night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nothing.
(WEB)
Point out that Isaiah called this a burden, which means a heavy message he had to carry. Ask children to notice how quickly the destruction came, in a single night. Explain that Isaiah’s message came from God, so God was watching over all of these cities.
Isaiah 15:2-3
2 They have gone up to Bayith, and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and over Medeba. Baldness is on all of their heads. Every beard is cut off. 3 In their streets, they clothe themselves in sackcloth. In their streets and on their housetops, everyone wails, weeping abundantly.
(WEB)
Show children how the people went up to the high places to weep, and how they wore sackcloth in the streets. Explain that these were signs of sadness people showed long ago. Ask them what it looks like when someone is very sad, and how we can comfort them.
Isaiah 15:9
For the waters of Dimon are full of blood; for I will bring yet more on Dimon, a lion on those of Moab who escape, and on the remnant of the land.
(WEB)
Point out that God says He will bring more on Dimon, and that He is in control of what happens to the nations. Be careful to explain that this is God’s judgment, and that God is always just and always knows what is right. Help children see that God knows every person’s name and every place.
Talk About It
- What do you think the people of Moab felt when their towns were destroyed?
- Why do you think Isaiah said his heart cried out for Moab?
- How can you show care for someone who is sad, like the people in this story?
- What does it mean that God sees everything that happens, even in faraway places?
- When have you felt scared, and how did it help to remember that God is with you?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Map of Moab
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask children to draw a simple map with the towns named in the story, such as Ar, Kir, Dibon, Nebo, and Zoar. Let them add a small drawing of a tear or a sad face near each town. As they draw, talk about how God sees every town on the map.
The Quiet Walk Game
You will need an open space and a few household items, such as pillows or cups, to mark the towns. Have children walk slowly from one cup to the next, pretending they are carrying something heavy like the people in the story. When you call out “stop,” everyone freezes and says a quiet thank you prayer. This helps children feel the story with their bodies.
Take-Home Comfort Card
You will need a sheet of paper, a pencil, and some stickers if you have them. Ask each child to write or draw one way they can comfort someone who is sad this week. Fold the card and let them take it home to put on their bedside table. Encourage them to share their card with a family member at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is one of the prophetic messages in Isaiah that speak against nations other than Israel. Moab was a neighbor whose sin and pride brought judgment, and the chapter shows that God holds all peoples accountable. It also shows the real grief that comes with loss, and it reveals a God who notices the suffering even of those outside His covenant.
With children, avoid overstating the idea of God’s judgment on nations, because it can make them feel that God is harsh or that other people are bad. Keep the focus on God’s knowledge and care, and on how we respond to sadness with kindness.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we thank You that You see every town and every person in the whole world. Help us to care about people who are sad, even when we do not know them. Teach us to be kind and gentle, and to remember that You are always with us. Amen.
