This lesson teaches children that God sees pride and does not ignore it, but that God also promises to bring people back to himself. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses, and the activity.
Big Idea
God is fair. He stops proud people from hurting others, and he keeps his promise to make things new in the end.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 48:47
“Yet I will reverse the captivity of Moab in the latter days,” says the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands open in front of their chests, then slowly bring them together and then lift them up high, like a bird rising. Say “I will reverse it” as the hands lift. This motion reminds them that God can turn sad things back into good things.
The Story: Jeremiah 48 for Kids
Long ago, the people of Moab lived east of the land of Israel. They were proud of their strong cities, their good harvests, and their wine. They trusted in their own treasures and their own strength, and they forgot to trust God. Some of their people even bragged about how mighty they were.
God sent his prophet Jeremiah to tell them the truth. Jeremiah spoke for the LORD, who is the God of all armies. The message was sad. Enemies would come up to the cities of Moab, and the people would run away and cry. The town of Nebo was broken. The town of Heshbon made evil plans against Moab. Many people were taken away from their homes.
The people of Moab had thought their idol Chemosh would protect them. But Chemosh could not save them, and his priests were carried away too. Jeremiah told everyone to flee and save their lives, and he said it would be like a small bush blowing alone across an empty desert. Nobody would be left to live in those cities.
God said he was not happy to see this happen. Jeremiah shared God’s own feelings, saying that his heart cried for Moab like a flute playing a sad song. God explained that Moab had made itself great against the LORD, and that proud pride had led them into trouble. The words in the chapter are heavy, but they were meant to warn the people to turn back.
At the very end of the chapter, God gave a promise that changed the whole story. He said, “Yet I will bring back the captives of Moab in the last days.” Even after the judgment, God still had a plan of hope and healing for these people. The chapter closes with that great promise.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 48:11
“Moab has been at ease from his youth, and he has settled on his lees, and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither has he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remains in him, and his scent is not changed.
(WEB)
Point out that Moab had been comfortable for a long time and had never been shaken up. Explain that being comfortable for too long can make a person forget to depend on God. Ask the children what it feels like when a shaken glass of juice is finally poured into a new cup.
Jeremiah 48:29-30
29 “We have heard of the pride of Moab. He is very proud in his loftiness, his pride, his arrogance, and the haughtiness of his heart. 30 I know his wrath,” says the LORD, “that it is nothing; his boastings have done nothing.
(WEB)
Show the children the words “proud” and “pride” in the verse. Explain that God sees pride in every heart and that pride hurts the person who has it and the people around them. Remind the children that God knows everything, even the boasts people make when no one else is listening.
Jeremiah 48:40
For the LORD says: “Behold, he will fly as an eagle, and will spread out his wings against Moab.
(WEB)
Point out that the verse describes an eagle spreading its wings over an enemy. Explain that the picture shows God’s power and how nothing can hide from him. Let the children move their arms like wings while you read the verse together.
Talk About It
- What did the people of Moab trust in, and why was that a problem?
- How can we tell when we are being proud of something we have?
- Why do you think God wanted Jeremiah to warn the people before the trouble came?
- What does it mean that God still made a promise of hope at the end of this chapter?
- What is one thing you can do this week to trust God more instead of yourself?
Activity Ideas
Paper Bird Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a large bird with wide wings on one side of the paper. On the other side, they can write or draw one thing they can trust God with this week. Help them see that the bird is a reminder of God’s care that spreads over his people, just as the eagle in the verse spreads its wings.
Stand Tall or Bend Low Game
You will need an open space and no special supplies. Call out “proud” and have the children stand very tall with their chins up. Call out “humble” and have them bend low and sit down. Mix the words quickly and talk about how standing tall can look strong but God cares most about our hearts. End by reminding them that God lifts up the humble.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards or small pieces of paper, a pen, and a rubber band for each child. Write “God will bring back what was lost” on one side of each card and “Jeremiah 48:47” on the other. Ask each child to take the card home and put it somewhere they will see it, such as by their bed or on the fridge. Encourage them to say the promise out loud each morning.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a serious message about the danger of pride and self-reliance. God judges Moab because they boasted against him and trusted in their own power and gods. Yet the chapter does not end in despair. The promise in verse 47 shows that God’s judgment is never the final word for those who turn back to him, and that his mercy stretches even to nations that once opposed Israel.
When teaching children, avoid making the chapter sound like God enjoys punishing people or that every trouble is a punishment for pride. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness, his justice, and his promise of restoration. Children may also ask about the violent images, so answer gently that the chapter describes real events and God’s justice, and that his heart is sad when people choose pride over him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you see our hearts and you know everything about us. Help us not to be proud, but to trust you with everything we have. Thank you for your promise to make things new and to bring back what was lost. Help us remember your love every day. Amen.
