This lesson teaches children that God sees everything people do, and He is fair. Ezekiel 25 shows God telling His prophet to speak against nations who were mean to His people. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God sees how people treat each other, and He always does what is right. Nobody can hide from Him, and He keeps His promises.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 25:17
I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay my vengeance on them.”’”
(WEB)
Have children stand up, stretch their arms wide, and then bring their hands together with a clap. Say “Then they will know that I am the LORD” each time you clap, so the words and motion become linked in their minds.
The Story: Ezekiel 25 for Kids
God spoke to a man named Ezekiel. God told him that Ezekiel was a son of man, which meant a regular person chosen to speak God’s words. God asked Ezekiel to turn his face toward the people of Ammon and tell them a message.
The people of Ammon had been unkind to God’s people, the people of Israel and Judah. When Israel’s land was made empty and God’s people were taken away, the Ammonites cheered and said, “Aha!” They were glad when bad things happened to others. God said He would not forget this.
God told Ezekiel that other nations were also unkind. Moab and Edom and the Philistines all laughed at Judah and wanted to hurt them. They clapped their hands and stamped their feet with joy when Judah suffered. God saw every bit of it.
God said, “I will deal with these nations. I will not let them get away with what they did.” God promised that the nations would be punished for their cruel actions. He said that everyone would finally know that He is the LORD, the one true God who is in charge of all the world.
God’s message was clear. He is never blind to unkindness. He notices when people are mean and when they rejoice over someone else’s pain. God is the one who is fair, and He keeps every promise He makes.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 25:3
Tell the children of Ammon, ‘Hear the word of the Lord the LORD! Thus says the Lord the LORD, “Because you said, ‘Aha!’ against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was made desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity…
(WEB)
Point out the word “Aha!” and ask the children what it sounds like when someone is happy about something bad happening to another person. Explain that God heard those words and did not ignore them.
Ezekiel 25:6
For thus says the Lord the LORD: “Because you have clapped your hands, stamped with the feet, and rejoiced with all the contempt of your soul against the land of Israel…
(WEB)
Show the children the clapping and stamping, and explain that these actions meant the people were celebrating someone else’s trouble. God noticed every movement and every feeling behind it.
Ezekiel 25:14
I will lay my vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel. They will do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath. Then they will know my vengeance,” says the Lord the LORD.
(WEB)
Tell the children that God says He will act with justice, and that means He will make things right. Remind them that God’s justice is always fair and never careless.
Talk About It
- What is something you could do this week to help someone who is sad or hurting?
- Why do you think the Ammonites said “Aha!” when Judah was in trouble, and how do you think that made God’s people feel?
- How does it feel to know that God sees everything you do, even the things nobody else sees?
- What is one way we can cheer for others instead of laughing when they have a hard time?
- Why is it comforting to know that God always keeps His promises?
Activity Ideas
Clapping Hands Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child trace one of their hands onto paper, cut it out, and write “God sees me” across the palm. Glue the hands onto a sheet of construction paper and let them decorate the background with drawings of their favorite things.
Freeze and Watch Game
Gather the children in an open space and call out different actions like clapping, stomping, or cheering. Each time you call an action, the children perform it, and you then say “God sees!” The children freeze while you make a silly face, and then they continue. This game helps children remember that God is always watching, and that our actions matter.
Promise Keeper Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a marker. Write the words “God keeps His promises” on each card, then have each child draw a small picture of something God has promised, such as a rainbow or a shepherd. Children can take the card home and place it somewhere they will see it each morning as a reminder of God’s faithfulness.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God takes injustice seriously and will act on behalf of His people. It is a reminder that God sees both what people do and the attitudes behind their actions, and that He is faithful to His word. The chapter also points forward to the hope that God’s justice will ultimately be made known to all.
When teaching children, avoid making this chapter sound like it is about punishing people you dislike today. The passage is an ancient prophecy directed at specific nations in a particular historical setting. Focus on God’s fairness and faithfulness rather than suggesting that children should look for enemies to be judged.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for seeing everything we do and for always being fair. Help us to be kind to others and to cheer for them when they are sad or struggling. Thank You for keeping every promise You make to us. We love You and trust You. Amen.
